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perennial Bulb

Types of Perennial Bulbs

Agapanthus praecox

Clump forming semi-decidiuous perennial with strap-like leaves and clusters of tubular flowers that form on tall flowering stalks.

  • Plant name: Agapanthus praecox
  • Common english name: Blue Lily
  • Common afrikaans name: Bloulelie
  • Indigenous/Exotic: Indigenous
  • Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen
  • Height & Width: 0.8-1m x 0.75m
  • Time of flower: December to April
  • Colour of flower: Blue, white
  • Light prefrence: Full sun → semi-shade
  • Water needs: Low
  • Soil requirements: Sandy, Clay, Loam
  • Available sizes: 15 cm

Aristea capitata/major

The plants form thick clumps of long strap-shaped evergreen leaves, which stand upright to 1.5 metres. From October the flowering stems appear tall and strong above the leaves, often 8 or more stems growing from each clump.

  • Plant name: Aristea capitata/major
  • Common english name: Blue sceptre
  • Common afrikaans name: Blousuurkanol
  • Indigenous/Exotic: Indigenous
  • Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen
  • Height & Width: 1.2-1.5m x 60-90cm
  • Time of flower: Spring, early summer
  • Colour of flower: Blue
  • Light preference: Full sun
  • Water needs: Moderate
  • Soil requirements: Sandy, Loam
  • Available sizes: 15 cm

Chasmanthe aethiopica

This attractive species is one of the earliest of the Cape bulbs to flower, its spikes of orange, tubular flowers providing welcome interest to the winter garden. Chasmanthe aethiopica thrives in relatively fertile, freely draining soil and will soon spread naturally through division of the corms in favourable situations. Plants are winter-growing and must be kept dry during their summer dormancy. In well-drained soil they will survive some moisture during this period but should not be allowed to remain too wet. The ease with which the species multiplies means that is must be repotted frequently if not grown in the garden. It flowers best in sunny or partially sunny situations and is a lovely species for underplanting beneath deciduous trees, where it can be left to run free. Its attractive flowers appear in winter before the trees leaf out and contrast beautifully against the fallen leaves.

  • Plant name: Chasmanthe aethiopica
  • Common English name: Small cobra lily
  • Common Afrikaans name: Suurkanolpypie
  • Indigenous/Exotic: Indigenous
  • Evergreen/Deciduous: Deciduous
  • Height & Width: 0.6 x 30-60cm
  • Time of flower: Winter
  • Colour of flower: Orange
  • Light preference: Full sun → semi-shade
  • Water needs: Moderate → High
  • Soil requirements: Sandy, Loam
  • Available sizes: 17 cm

Clivia

Clivia miniata is a clump-forming perennial with dark green, strap-shaped leaves which arise from a fleshy underground stem. The flowering heads of brilliant orange, trumpet-shaped flowers appear mainly in spring but also sporadically at other times of the year. The deep green, shiny leaves are a perfect foil for the masses of orange flowers.

  • Plant name: Clivia
  • Common english name: Bush lily
  • Common afrikaans name: Boslelie
  • Indigenous/Exotic: Indigenous
  • Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen
  • Height & Width: 45cm x 60cm
  • Time of flower: Spring, Sporadic/All year
  • Colour of flower: Yellow, orange
  • Light preference: Shade
  • Water needs: Low → moderate
  • Soil requirements: Loam
  • Available sizes: 17 cm

Tulbaghia violacea

A fast-growing, bulb with long, narrow, strap-like, slightly fleshy leaves strongly smelling of garlic when crushed. Small bright purple-pink flowers bloom at the tips of long, thin stems. They grow from fat, tuberous roots which spread to form clumps of plants.  They can tolerate prolonged drought but will thrive with more regular watering. The plants are edible from root to flower and has potential for culinary use as well as a historical use as traditional medicine.

  • Plant name: Tulbaghia violacea
  • Common english name: Wild garlic, Society garlic
  • Common afrikaans name: Wildeknoffel
  • Indigenous/Exotic: Indigenous
  • Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen
  • Height & Width: 30-60cm x 25cm
  • Time of flower: Spring, Summer
  • Colour of flower: Pink, Purple
  • Light preference: Full sun
  • Water needs: Low → moderate
  • Soil requirements: Loam
  • Available sizes: 15cm, 4 pack

Zantedeschia aethiopica

 A very hardy, evergreen, clump-forming perennial with big, heart-shaped leaves. It has one distinctive large, white, cone-shaped petal and a central column which carries the tiny flowers and the yellow pollen. The white arum forms large colonies in marshy areas ranging from the coast to an altitudes of 2250m. The flowers attract a range of insects and bees and in the Western Cape houses the tiny frog, Hyperolius hopstocki in it’s flower.

  • Plant name: Zantedeschia aethiopica
  • Common english name: Arum-lily
  • Common afrikaans name: Varkoor
  • Indeginuous/Exotic: Indigenous
  • Evergreen/Deciduous: Semi evergreen
  • Height & Width: 60-90cm x 50-60cm
  • Time of flower: Spring, Summer, Autumn
  • Colour of flower: White, Cream
  • Light preference: Full sun → semi-shade
  • Water needs: Moderate → High
  • Soil requirements: Loam
  • Available sizes: 12cm, 15cm, 17cm, 4 pack