A South African genus of 6 species of corms of the iris family (Iridaceae), Sparaxis plants will naturalize and form large drifts of brightly colored flowers under suitable conditions. The leaves are grassy to sword-shaped, with prominent ribbing, and develop quickly from late winter. They are soon flowed by wiry spikes carrying anywhere from just a few blooms to fanlike sprys of funnel-shaped 6-petalled flowers. The flowers may be white, yellow, or shades of pink to orange and red, usually with a yellow center and contrasting dark colors in the throat. The genus name comes from the Greek word sparasso (to tear), referring to the lacerated bracts at the base of the flowers.
CULTIVATION
These plants are not hardy where the soil freezes but are otherwise easily grown in full sun with fertile, moist, well-drained soil. In cold areas they can be lifted in autumn and replanted in early spring for a later flower show. Propagate from seed or by division.
Top Tip
Sparaxis species are suitable for the front of borders or in raised beds. In cold areas they may need to be placed in a greenhouse, or planted against a sunny wall, protected from wind.
CULTIVATION
These plants are not hardy where the soil freezes but are otherwise easily grown in full sun with fertile, moist, well-drained soil. In cold areas they can be lifted in autumn and replanted in early spring for a later flower show. Propagate from seed or by division.
Top Tip
Sparaxis species are suitable for the front of borders or in raised beds. In cold areas they may need to be placed in a greenhouse, or planted against a sunny wall, protected from wind.
No comments:
Post a Comment