Freesia laxa
Lax anomatheca, Scarlet freesia
Also known as Anomatheca laxa, Anomatheca cruenta, Lapeirousia cruenta, Lapeirousia laxa
- Height × spread
- 0.35m × 0.45m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This isn't hardy but as it is dormant during the winter it can often survive out of doors, though don't rely on it. It can survive slight frosts and may be protected with mulch. It comes into flower in high summer, during June and July, producing flowers which look upwards and open their long, slender petals outwards, starry in effect. They are in colours of red, purple, white, pink and even a light blue. The flowers are accompanied by grassy looking foliage.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.35m
- Spread
- 0.45m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Gravel garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.