They like a dry summer and wet winter, if your climate doesn’t provide this, you could grow them in pots. They should naturalise Perth to Adelaide, Victoria, Tasmania and along the NSW East coast to Newcastle. In other areas they may be more suitable as annuals.
- Botanical Name
- Freesia x hybrid. Grandma: F. refracta
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Plant Type
- Corm
- Size (HxW)
- Grandmas: 10-30cm x 10- 20cm. Bedding: 20-30cm x 10-20cm. Bergunden & Fantasia: 30-40cm x 10-20cm.
- Depth & Spacing
- Plant 5-10cm deep and 10-20cm apart with the pointed end up. In pots, plant a little deeper. If you are planting a lot of bulbs, it is a good idea to stagger the planting of your bulbs for a longer display. Some one week, some the next.
- Soil
- Humus rich, well drained soil is ideal though they are not too fussy, as long as it is well drained.
- Aspect
- Full sun to light shade
- Climate
- Cool to Subtropical (in warmer zones they will need additional watering and could be treated as annuals or provide protection from the heat of summer).
- Frost
- Mostly hardy. In cold climates where the ground freezes, you can protect them with a layer of mulch, or offer them morning shade and afternoon sun. Or plant in pots.
- Water
- Water in to establish, then only if rainfall is low during active growth. Keep relatively dry during summer dormancy.
- Fertiliser
- A well balanced fertiliser annually, late winter/early spring. A tomato fertiliser is a good choice.
- Flowering Time
- Early to mid spring (90- 120 days from planting, faster in warm weather, their growth begins with the autumn rains). In hot weather they tend not to flower well or just stop so ideally plant early in warmer climes so they can flower earlier or grow them in pots where you can protect them. In their natural environment they grow their roots and leaves in winter and flower early spring, going dormant before the heat.
- After Flower Care
- These bulbs can be left undisturbed in the ground to naturalise for many years if you have well drained soil and they don’t get too wet/hot over summer. Lift and divide every three or four years as they become overcrowded. Bulbs can be dug after the foliage has died right down. Lift and replant immediately or store in a dry, airy position to replant the following autumn. The flowers may set seed, snap them off to collect when they are dark red - that is when they are ripe – if you don’t want the seed and would rather bulb growth, snip them before they ripen so you get bigger bulbs. Seeds take around two years to flower well.
- Notes
- They make an excellent addition to small posies or a vase display, pick them as the first bloom opens. Very fragrant, plant them somewhere you can enjoy this. If you are planting your Freesias in a pot; plant more deeply, 10cm to help their stems stand tall, protect them from heat, ensure you water and fertilise well. A commonly asked question with Freesias is why are the stems floppy, this is usually caused by too much shade. You can provide metal ring supports, or ties to keep them upright.
