Gloriosa superba 'Rothschildiana'

RHS Plant Profile

glory lily 'Rothschildiana'

Synonyms

Gloriosa rothschildiana

Climber Wall Shrub Conservatory Greenhouse

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A deciduous, tuberous, tendril climber reaching a height of 2m. Leaves are lance-shaped and the upper leaf axils bear flowers, up to 10cm across, in the summer. The lily-like flowers comprise six reflexed red petals, with wavy yellow edges, surrounding a cluster of curved and protruding stamens

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–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): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Colchicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets (dogs) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Gloriosa are climbing, tuberous-rooted perennials with tendril-tipped leaves and showy, lily-like flowers with reflexed, undulate tepals and long protruding stamens
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant tubers 7-10cm deep in early spring in peat-free John Innes No 2 compost with added grit in full light. Water freely once in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every two weeks. Keep tubers dry and frost-free in winter and pot on in late winter if tubers are very congested

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Wall side borders

Pruning

Cut down top growth as it dies back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free