Watsonia pillansii

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Beatrice watsonia

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Beatrice watsonia RHS / Joanna Kossak
Beatrice watsonia RHS
Beatrice watsonia RHS / Joanna Kossak
Beatrice watsonia Dorling Kindersley 2003

Other common names

bugle lily

Synonyms

Watsonia beatricis

Conservatory Greenhouse Bulbs
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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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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 peat-free, 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