Freesia laxa var. alba

RHS Plant Profile
white flowering grass

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white flowering grass RHS

Synonyms

Anomatheca laxa var. alba
Anomatheca cruenta var. alba

Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial
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A slender cormous perennial with narrow leaves and lax racemes of long-tubed, starry white flowers in late spring or early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
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)
H3

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
Freesia are cormous deciduous perennials with erect, linear to narrowly lance-shaped leaves and upright stems bearing terminal racemes of slender-tubed, salver-shaped or trumpet-shaped flowers that are usually scented
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S & E Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Freesias are naturally winter-growers starting into growth in autumn through to late spring so are usually grown in a frost-free greenhouse. Plant in pots of peat-free, loam-based compost with added gritty sand. Place in full light with good ventilation, water well and feed monthly until flower buds form. After flowering, dry off pots and store dry over the summer. Corms can also be stored dry over the winter and planted in well-drained soil in spring for later flowering. Lift in autumn and store dry

Propagation

Sow seed in containers at 13-18°C in autumn or winter. Remove offsets in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Foliage can be removed after it dies down after flowering

Pests

Susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids

Diseases

Susceptible to Fusarium wilt and a virus