Lachenalia vanzyliae

RHS Plant Profile
van Zyl opal flower

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van Zyl opal flower RHS
van Zyl opal flower RHS

Synonyms

Lachenalia aloides var. vanzyliae

Award of Garden Merit
Bulbs Conservatory Greenhouse

A bulbous perennial up to 25cm high, growing from autumn to spring, with long fleshy green leaves that are heavily-spotted above with maroon-brown. From late winter to early spring spikes of hanging tubular flowers, about 3cm long, appear. Flowers are pale grey-green-blue at the base and yellowish grey-green at the apex, and tipped and edged in grey

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or 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)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Lachenalia are bulbous perennials with strap-shaped, sometimes dark-spotted leaves, and erect stems bearing racemes or spikes of tubular flowers, slightly fragrant in some species, in autumn, winter or early spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S Africa (W Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant bulbs 10cm deep: in frost-prone areas, grow in a cool greenhouse or conservatory in full light in peat-free, loam-based potting compost. Water moderately as growth starts, water freely when in full growth (adding a balanced fertilizer every fortnight), and reduce watering as the leaves fade, then keep dry until fresh growth starts. In frost-free areas with dry summers, grow in full sun in well-drained soil in a rock garden or among low shrubs

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown at 13-18°C as soon as it is ripe, or by division, removing bulblets from dormant plants and repotting or replanting straightaway

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free