Hesperantha coccinea

RHS Plant Profile
crimson flag lily

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crimson flag lily RHS
crimson flag lily RHS
crimson flag lily RHS

Other common names

crimson flag, scarlet river lily

Synonyms

Schizostylis coccinea

Herbaceous Perennial Conservatory Greenhouse
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A vigorous semi-evergreen perennial quickly forming a clump of erect, grassy foliage, with bowl-shaped scarlet flowers 4cm wide in autumn on spikes to 60cm tall

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Hesperantha are semi-evergreen, rhizomatous perennials with narrowly sword-shaped, erect leaves and spikes of starry or bowl-shaped flowers from late summer to late autumn
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Zimbabwe to S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Shelter from cold drying winds; provide an organic mulch in winter

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering, cut down stems after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free