Polyxena corymbosa
A bulbous perennial, up to 15cm high, growing from autumn to spring, with narrow green leaves, up to 150mm long and 5mm wide. In autumn and early winter dense clusters of honey-scented, bell-shaped flowers, about 15mm wide, appear. Flowers are lilac-pink, flushed with a darker blue-lilac central stripe along each petal
0.1-0.5 metres
0.1-0.5 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
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 such as John Innes No. 2, and 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
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
Remove old flowering stems as they fade
May be susceptible to mealybugs
Generally disease-free