Family: Asphodelaceae
Common Name: Golden Wand Lily

Native to South Africa and New Zealand, this small genus of hardy, herbaceous perennials is related to Bulbine. It has fleshy, tuberous rhizomes, shiny, succulent, grass-like leaves and terminal racemes of yellow, orange or white flowers on bare stems. They make very pretty border plants for warm climates. Depending on the species and district, they may flower from late winter through to summer.

Species

B. floribunda, from South Africa, has 15 cm (6 in) long racemes of bright yellow flowers. It grows to 75 cm (30 in).

B. hookeri, from New Zealand, grows to a little under a metre (3 ft) tall; its bright orange-yellow flowers form racemes to 25 cm (10 in) long. These bloom in spring or summer.

B. rossii, a sturdy New Zealand species, grows over 1 m (3 ft) high and has bright yellow flowers in spring.

Cultivation

In areas of hard frosts, grow in a cool greenhouse or conservatory in pots of well-drained, soil-based potting compost. Outdoors, these plants like a sunny or partially shady spot and rich, light, acid to neutral soil, mulched with well-rotted manure in spring. B. hookeri thrives in somewhat dry conditions. Propagate from seed or by division in spring. They flower best when clumps are not disturbed for some years.

Climate

Zone 9.