Brunsvigia South African Lily

The impressive flowers open on thick stalks, with up to 30 flowers, each 2-3cm long. They bloom March to April and are best after a long, hot summer, the flower head is around the size of a Nerine. A rare and wonderful bulb.

Brunsvigia are slow to flower. So we have done much of the hard work for you. These bulbs are five or six years old so are getting close to flowering stage. Depending on conditions you could have flowers as soon as soon as two or three years. We think you will find that they are worth the wait, and the bulbs are extremely long lived. Brunsvigia striata is a comparatively small Brunsvigia bulb, growing only to around 7cm whereas some grow as large as 50cm.

Brunsvigia are commonly known as Candelabra Lilies, they are native through southern Africa. There they thrive, flowering in autumn after a long, hot spell. After the blooms finish, the foliage grows through winter, enjoying the natural rainfall. Brunsvigia striata produces four to six leathery dark green leaves which lie flat upon the ground, one atop the other. The handsome foliage has a red margin and is covered in little bumps (papillate).

The seeds of Brunsvigia are viable (if pollinated). In their native land the flower actually evolved its circular shape to detach, and roll to spread the see far and wide.

You can treat Brunsvigia as you would Belldonna Lilies or Nerines, which are closely related. They like to bake in the sun, require well drained soil. They should be left to form a clump rather as they resent disturbance. They will bloom best after a long, dry summer so ensure you don`t plant your bulbs anywhere near irrigation! Top dress annually with sulphate of potash. They are also great in pots best to use a cactus/succulent mix.

Supplied as: Bulbs