Sparaxis tricolor

RHS Plant Profile
three-coloured harlequin flower

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three-coloured harlequin flower Dorling Kindersley Ltd

Other common names

fluweeltjie, harlequin flower

Conservatory Greenhouse Bulbs
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A cormous perennial with narrow, upright leaves to 30cm long. In spring and early summer it produces stems, to about 45cm, bearing small clusters of red, orange or purple, widely-funnel-shaped flowers with yellow centres surrounded by black or dark red marks

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

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
Moisture
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
Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Sparaxis are cormous perennials forming a fan-shaped tuft of linear or narrowly lance-shaped leaves, with funnel-shaped flowers borne in loose spikes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
South Africa (Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in good light but shaded from hot sun. In autumn, plant corms 20cm deep in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added sand and leaf mould. Water sparingly when in growth and keep cool; dry off as flowers fade and keep completely dry when dormant

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or remove offsets when dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems and allow foliage to die down naturally

Pests

Generally problem free

Diseases

Generally problem free