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  • Crocosmia
    • aurea   CAG00187
      Crocosmia aurea
      $12.00earn 60 points

      A tough, cormous, evergreen perennial for light shade. Fans of tall, strappy, mid green sword-like foliage rise from the Gladioli like corms. It bears in late summer spikes of bright, golden yellow, starry, lily-like flowers that light up any shady area. Quickly forms large open clumps which will flower for many months.

      All crocosmias are wonderful plants and deserve to be more widely grown. They are particularly valued for their bright flowers that appear before the autumn flowers start and when many of the summer flowers are taking a bit of break.

  • Cyrtanthus
    • brachyscyphus   CAG00880

      (Dobo lily)
      Cyrtanthus brachyscyphus
      $12.00earn 60 points

      Clusters of tubular, coral coloured flowers serenely nod on smooth stems over loose clumps of arching, strappy leaves from semi exposed fleshy bulbs. One of the finest pot specimens, without need of frequent repotting, or scatter clumps through low ground cover, Viola hederacea or Glechoma hederacea would fit the bill, in sheltered sites for uncluttered elegance yet spring panache.

      From the eastern Cape of South Africa and easily grown in any none too heavy soil with regular summer water, though a dry period won't kill it, where it may even gently self sow. Mostly evergreen in Perth but likely to be winter deciduous in areas much colder.

    • elatus ‘Delicatus’   CAG00194
      Cyrtanthus elatus ‘Delicatus’
      $12.00earn 60 points

      A selected pink form of the well known and scarlet flowered C. elatus and just as easily grown. An evergreen, South African bulb, excellent as a cut flower or pot subject to be brought indoors at flowering time. Stout stems bearing large, mid pink, open, trumpet shaped flowers sporadically appear throughout the warmer months from quickly clumping, strappy, leathery leaves.

      Happy with short periods of dryness but better with regular water to imitate its natural habitat of stream sides and moist slopes. Good drainage is of course essential as is a little shelter from scorching summer sun, though too much shade will affect flowering.

  • Dracunculus
    • canariensis   CAG02357

      (Canary Island Dragon Arum)
      Dracunculus canariensis
      $12.00earn 60 points

      A more subtle Dragon Arum from the Canary Islands with a tapering white spathe that ensorcells a stiff creamy spadix atop a fleshy stalk of palmate foliage. Elegant, lush and not stinky, it forms loose colonies in shaded sites, perhaps at its best emerging from a sea of suitable woodland groundcover, Pelargonium tomentosum, Cyclamen hederifolium, Parochetus africanus, Cosmos diversifolius or Viola banksii are some suggestions. Or have it peeking out between bold shrubs, like Echium candicans and Aeonium, which can offer it protection.

      Easily grown in any soil, summer deciduous and then no water is necessary.

      As with many drought loving geophytes these are decidedly unsuited to life in a pot, plants sold are two years old and need to get in the ground ASAP.

  • Gladiolus
    • dalenii   CAG00265
      $12.00earn 60 points

      A vigorous and reliable species for the garden, producing large clumps of blue green, sword-like foliage and bearing tall spikes of pale red and yellow, trumpet shaped flowers in summer and often again in autumn. Dies down in winter to return ever more vigorously the following year.

      Found throughout the summer rainfall regions of southern and tropical Africa and very easy in the garden with regular watering in all but the heaviest of soils and making a lovely companion for Daylilies, Montbretias and Lily of the nile.

      Excellent for cutting as a Gladdy is expected to be.

  • Nerine
    • ‘Coral Queen’   CAG02271
      Nerine ‘Coral Queen’
      $12.00earn 60 points

      Firework clusters of spidery, bright coral pink blooms on smooth, fleshy stalks from papery brown bulbs that increase fairly rapidly to form impressive clumps after several years and then keep getting better for a lifetime. The strappy green leaves only emerge well after flowering which commences with falling temperatures and the addition of water in autumn.

      Deciduous over summer and then needing a dry rest but tolerant of some summer moisture. Easily grown in any lean, well drained soil, barely covering the bulbs, they will adjust themselves to their preferred depth. An excellent pot subject and fantastic table centrepiece when in flower.

  • Oxalis

    (Wood sorrel)
    Oxalidaceae

    A globally distributed genus with as many different growth habits as there are habitats.

    Cormous species from winter rainfall regions of southern Africa are of most relevance to Perth gardens, being hardy and colourful while requiring no summer water. Well suited to massed display and accepting of pots unlike most geophytes. Many too flower in autumn and winter when blooms can be scarce.
  • Pancratium
    • maritimum   CAG01666

      (Sea daffodil)
      Pancratium maritimum
      $12.00earn 60 points

      A dramatic bulb, the umbels of pure white, perfumed, daffodil-like flowers appear as if by magic after the first autumn rain, on naked, very glaucous 60cm stems. Such delicate and exuberant beauty seemingly incongruous in the exposed and baking environ it prefers.

      The strappy, glaucous winter leaves die down with the onset of summer drought, if they remain evergreen you are providing too much water and any chance of flowering is likely to be non-existent. In a warm autumn repeat blooms are not uncommon.

      Found on coastal dunes in hotter parts of the Mediterranean it is ideally suited to growing in hot barren sand, though mine do fine in clay, and should be indifferent to salt spray. Self seeds if your lucky, though it will be at least several years before the seedlings are large enough to flower. Newly planted bulbs will usually need a year or two to settle in as well before they will resume flowering.

      Mass plant for best effect, either densely or as scattered individuals.

  • Watsonia
    • aletroides   CAG01174

      (Shrimp plant)
      Watsonia aletroides
      $12.00earn 60 points

      Tubular, pale mouthed, coral flowers are artfully staggered to one side of slender vertical stems above a dense clump of red edged, sword-like leaves. A South African bulb (corm) that is summer deciduous and therefore eminently drought hardy, in fact a dry rest is essential.

      Stunning thrusting from between the simple mounds of cool coloured staples, Catmint, Lavender, and maybe a few of the Dutch Iris ‘Wedgwood’ that flowers simultaneously.

      Easily grown in any very sunny summer dry soil, heavy soils and wet feet in winter are tolerated and may even be preferred.

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