Ferraria crispa

RHS Plant Profile
curled ferraria

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Other common names

krullefjie

Synonyms

Ferraria undulata

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A tender, cormous perennial to 45cm tall, producing linear, stem-clasping leaves to 25cm long. In spring it produces upward-facing, wavy-petalled, green or cream-coloured, unpleasant-smelling flowers, to 5cm across, spotted with purple and brown. Best suited to a temperate greenhouse

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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
Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
South Africa (Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant corms 15cm deep in autumn. Under glass, plant directly into a greenhouse border or in deep containers of peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added grit. During growth in winter, water moderately, keep in full light and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; keep dry in summer

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 6-12°C in summer or autumn, separate offsets from dormant parent corms

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free