About
A clump-forming, cormous perennial, to 1.5m tall, with sword-shaped leaves up to 1m long and tall, unbranched stems bearing up to 12 tubular, scarlet-red flowers in summer.
About the genus
Watsonia are cormous perennials with erect, linear to narrowly lance-shaped leaves and curved, tubular flowers with spreading lobes, borne in simple or branched spikes
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost with added sharp sand and humus. Keep just moist when dormant. Can be grown outdoors in light, well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer. Protect from frosts with a dry winter mulch
PruningDeadhead as required
PropagationPropagate by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free