Wachendorfia thyrsiflora

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panicled-flowered bloodroot

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Herbaceous Perennial Conservatory Greenhouse
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A clump-forming perennial with furry red roots and tubers and narrow, arching, pleated, evergreen leaves up to 1m long. Bright yellow, star-shaped flowers are produced in spires up to 2m tall in early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline 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
Haemodoraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Wachendorfia are evergreen perennials developing from bright red tubers. The basal leaves are broadly-linear, parallel-veined and pleated. Upright flower stems are studded with star-shaped yellow blooms
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Temp S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Outdoors needs a frost-free position with moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Alternatively grow in a cool greenhouse, ideally planted directly into the border, or in pots of peat-free, loam-based compost

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 13-18C in autumn or spring, or by separating tubers in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Cut down flowering stems once blooms fade

Pests

Susceptible to slug and snail damage

Diseases

Generally disease-free