Lachenalia contaminata
Cape cowslip
- Height × spread
- 0.25m × 0.25m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Winter, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A South African bulb that flowers there during August and September. This is too tender to overwinter outside in Britain. It has rounded, rather reed like, fleshy green leaves that may be lax or more or less erect. the flowers are held on stems patterned green and maroon, They carry close packed heads of little white flowers, individually bell shaped with flared lips and noticeable stamens. The overall flower head is diamond or fan shaped. It is a plant that is naturally found grown in wet places. After flowering it will become dormant. This stands up to 25cm (10in) in height, often less, with and equivalent spread.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.25m
- Spread
- 0.25m
- Season of interest
- Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Winter, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Remove offsets to create new plants
Offsets are small plants or shoots that develop around the parent plant. They should have developed a root system of their own before they are detached. They can be planted directly, or grown in pots if so small they could be 'lost' in the garden.
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Give a general purpose feed two or three times during the growing season, preferably not within a month of its end so the plant isn't encouraged to make fresh young growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Winter · Outdoors
Lachenalia watering regime
Water regularly in growth, as leaves fail reduce watering and leave virtually dry during summer dormancy, giving just a tiny amount of water. The plant is best kept in a cool position while dormant. In autumn recommence watering as growth restarts.