International Flower Bulb Centre
Family
Iridaceae
Botanical Name
Freesia
Plant Common Name
Freesia
General Description
Freesia is a genus of about 15 species of perennial, bulbous plants grown for their showy, fragrant flowers. All are endemic to southern Africa. Freesias are popular commercial cutflowes, garden and houseplant favorites and many are grown for their fragrant oils that are extracted from the flowers and used for scenting perfumes, lotions and candles.
The plants have green, narrow leaves that are linear or sword-shaped and clustered. Only a few leaves arise from the bulbous corms (bulbous, compressed, solid, underground stems covered with a fibrous skin). The flowers appear among the foliage on long spikes. Each spike may be branched or unbranched and bears flowers on one side. The flowers have petals/tepals that form tubular or funnel-shaped blooms that begin to open from the base of the spike up. Flowers are usually white or yellow and sometimes pink or red. The fruit is a round, warty capsule. There are many cultivars and varieties with a wide range of flowers colors.
Culture and hardiness is species dependent, however, most Freesia prefer slightly acid, organic-rich soil with ample drainage. They prefer sunny to partly sunny locations and look best when grown in masses. These plants do not tolerate very cold or hot conditions. Plant them in the spring in temperate zones and the fall in sub-tropical and tropical areas. Cut or remove the flower stalk and leave the remaining foliage to replenish the corm for next season’s blooms. The corms should be lifted and stored in areas where with freezing winters. They may also be lifted and stored in the summer in areas with where temperatures are hot and really moist.
Freesia is an excellent plant for forcing or greenhouse culture where not hardy. They are beautiful in beds, containers and cutting gardens. If corms are planted at intervals, successions of blooms will grace the garden for cutting. Expect flowers to appear about 10 to 12 weeks after planting.
Characteristics
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Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Southern Africa
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Yellow, Red, Pink
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Fruit Color
Green, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
