Flowers. Photo from R. V. Roger

Foliage. Photo from R. V. Roger

Form

Plant Name

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Freesia alba (Syn. Freesia lactea)

Common Name

---

Soil

Sand

Sun Aspect

Full Sun

Soil Moisture

Moist when growing, bone dry when dormant.

Plant Type

Perennial Corm

Height x Spread in feet

0.7-1.4 x 0.3

Foliage

Green

Flower Colour in Month(s). Seed

Very strongly scented White blooms with a Creamy-Yellow centre - occasionally flushed purple outside - are carried on 1 foot long stems in March-May

Comment

Native to South Africa.

"Delicate funnel-shaped flowers in spring and summer, surrounded by a fan of light green sword-like leaves, but the main attraction with these bulbs is the sweet fragrance that fills the room. Plant 5cm (2”) deep in a loam-based compost mixed with one-third sharp sand in a pot. Keep at 5C and water sparingly until growth begins. Once 7-8 leaves have appeared feed with a foliar feed every two weeks to encourage spectacular flowering." from R.V. Roger. Bring indoors when nightime temperature drops below 9 degrees Centigrade.

Plant against South-facing House Wall in Southern England during September where temperatures do not go below 0 degrees Centigrade during the winter. Set 2 inches deep in average and sandy soils, 3 inches apart. Mulch with 3 inches of organic compost to conserve moisture in the autumn, remove mulch during the summer. Leave undisturbed for years; move during their dormant period during the summer.

In colder areas, lift corms after foliage dies, store overwinter, and replant in the spring.

Excellent house plants and cut flowers.

Available from R. V. Roger.