Sparaxis grandiflora

RHS Plant Profile

plain harlequin flower

Dorling Kindersley Ltd

Bulbs Conservatory Greenhouse

A cormous perennial with leaves up to 30cm long. In spring and summer it produces spikes of funnel-shaped flowers with six reddish-purple petal lobes, on stems up to 45cm tall

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–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): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Sparaxis are cormous perennials forming a fan-shaped tuft of linear or narrowly lance-shaped leaves, with funnel-shaped flowers borne in loose spikes
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: South Africa (Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in good light but shaded from hot sun. In autumn, plant corms 20cm deep in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added sand and leaf mould. Water sparingly when in growth and keep cool; dry off as flowers fade and keep completely dry when dormant

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or remove offsets when dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems and allow foliage to die down naturally

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free