code: 660
This rarely-seen native of the Roggeveld in South Africa
Family: Hyacinthaceae
Common name: Lachenalia longituba
Plant Classification: Half hardy bulb Hardy bulb Half hardy perennial Hardy perennial
Delicate ice-blue flowers with short stalks and a very long tube, have a violet central stripe on each petal, and arise from a central rosette of narrow shiny leaves. This rarely-seen native of the Roggeveld in South Africa will do well in a rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot, or in a large pot in the conservatory or alpine house.
Sowing advice:
Sow seeds at any time covering them with compost or grit 5mm deep, in a cool, well-lit spot outdoors. Artificial heat is not needed and can prevent germination. Many species will only germinate in the spring after a good chilling or freezing in the moist seed tray in the winter. Grow on seedlings in small pots before planting out into sharply draining compost in a pot, or the open ground in a well-drained spot.
Genus: Lachenalia
Species:
longituba– L. longituba is an tender, erect, bulbous, deciduous perennial with two or three narrowly lance-shaped, channeled, mid-green leaves and, in autumn, low corymbs of fragrant, trumpet-shaped, white, pale lilac, or deep mauve flowers, usually with a purple stripe down the centre of each petal.
Native to
South Africa
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance:
Flowers are lightly fragrant
Habit:
Clump-forming, Erect
Awards:
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
HOW TO CARE:
Watch out for:
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care:
Pruning
Remove faded flower stems.
Propagation
Sow seed at 13-18C as soon as ripe.
Propagation methods: Offsets, Seed
