Family: Asphodelaceae
Common Name: Fringed Lily

There are over 40 species of lily-like, clump-forming plants in this mainly Australian genus, with two from New Guinea. They have lovely, fringed flowers in many shades of blue and purple. Most species have sparse, grassy foliage and erect, occasionally twining flower stems. The roots may be rhizomatous or tuberous. Fringed lilies are frost-tender and need to be grown in a cool to intermediate greenhouse or conservatory in frost-prone climates.

Species

These are unlikely to be available out-side their countries of origin, and flowering times given are local and may be different under cultivation in the northern hemisphere.

T. juncifolius, rush fringed lily, has twining stems bearing purple flowers in spring and summer.

T. multiflorus, mauve fringed lily, is a very showy species with grass-like, gray foliage and mauve-purple flowers held high above the foliage.

T. patersonii is a weak, twining plant with large, blueish mauve tlowers.

T. tuberosus, common fringed lily or fringed violet, grows to 20 cm (8 in), with wiry, branched stems and large, purple flowers lasting one day only. Flowers may appear from mid-spring through to midsummer. The grassy foliage arises from tuberous roots.

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in pots of well-drained, soil-based potting compost. Provide maximum light but shade plants from direct, strong sun. Outdoors grow in sun or partial shade with well drained, humus-rich soil. Propagate from seed sown as soon as ripe and germinate in a heated propagating case. Tuberous species may be increased by division of clumps while dormant.

Climate

Zone 10.