About
A bulbous perennial with lance-shaped leaves up to 50cm long, and orange, pink, red, yellow or white flowers up to 15cm across, with three petals and contrasting central markings, produced in succession in summer.
About the genus
A genus of 60 bulbous perennials from seasonally dry grasslands or rocky sites in Central America and Peru. Attractive, bright-coloured flowers are fairly short-lived but often open successively from each stem. Each flower has three large outer segments and three shorter, inner ones. The leaves are narrow, sword-shaped
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Bulbs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toMexico
Care notes
CultivationPlant 10cm deep. Outdoors grow in well-drained, preferably sandy, fertile soil in full sun. In cold areas lift after flowering and overwinter in dry sand at about 10C. Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added sharp sand. Keep dry when dormant and repot each spring
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at around 15C in spring, or by separating offsets when dormant
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceProne to viruses