Watsonia pillansii
Beatrice watsonia
a cormous perennial with sword-shaped leaves and branched spikes of curved, tubular orange-red flowers 5cm in length, with spreading lobes, from late summer
_2038.jpg)
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Orange Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Orange Red | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Tufted
- Genus
Watsonia are cormous perennials with erect, linear to narrowly lance-shaped leaves and curved, tubular flowers with spreading lobes, borne in simple or branched spikes
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- South Africa (E Cape, W Cape, KwaZulu-Natal)
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass grow in loam-based compost with added sharp sand and humus. Keep just moist when dormant. Can be grown outdoors in light, well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer. Protect from frosts with a dry winter mulch
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 13-18°C in autumn or division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Patio and container plants
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Banks and slopes
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead as required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.