Freesia

Ruikpypie (Afr.)

The commonly grow freesias are a result of a cross between F. refracta and F. leichtlinii, many cultivars have been bred from these species and the pink- and yellow-flowered forms of F. corymbosa. Freesias are commercially cultivated for the cut flower industry and is on the list of top 10 cut flowers on the Dutch Market. It is a spring flowering bulb planted in gardens with a dormant summer. after planting the bulb in the end of summer , they quickly grow to produce a pretty, usually fragrant flower in Spring.

Explore 1 descendants

White freesia

Freesia alba

Planning

Difficulty

Easy

Flowering time

Spring

Fruiting time

Summer

Harvesting

Flowers can be harvested for the vase, cut once the first flowers start opening.

Propagation

Seed

Sow seed in autumn or winter and keep moist.

Division

Divide offsets from the little corms in autumn.

Special features

Attracts useful insects

Including bees!

Pot plant

Can be grown in containers, place in full sun and provide good drainage. Keep pots dry in the dormant phase!

Geography

Origin

Africa, Eastern side of Africa, Kenya to South Africa.

Natural climate

Temperate

Environment

Light

Full Sun

Soil moisture

Moist

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil PH preference

Neutral

Frost hardiness

Half-Hardy

Uses

Personality

Family

Iridaceae

Flower colour

White, yellow, pink, red, blue-mauve

Scent

Strong

Problems

Susceptible to red spider mite, aphids, dry rot and Fusarium wilt.

Aphids

Aphidoidea spp.