Lachenalia bulbifera 'George'

RHS Plant Profile

Cape cowslip 'George'

Christopher Whitehouse

Alpine Rockery Bulbs Conservatory Greenhouse

A bulbous perennial to 30cm tall, with strap-shaped, purple-spotted leaves and loose racemes of rose-red, tubular flowers tipped with green, in winter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: 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: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Lachenalia are bulbous perennials with strap-shaped, sometimes dark-spotted leaves, and erect stems bearing racemes or spikes of tubular flowers, slightly fragrant in some species, in autumn, winter or early spring
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in light well-drained soil in a sheltered, frost-free area. Grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Reduce watering as the leaves fade, then keep dry until fresh growth starts in autumn

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 13-18°C (55-64°F) as soon as ripe, or remove bulblets in summer or autumn just before replanting or repotting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free