Family: lridaceae

Native to South Africa, these 30 species of cor­mous plants are grown for their showy flowers, appearing in mid to late spring or summer.

Species

T. crocata has wiry stems, up to 50 cm (20 in) high, bearing spikes of bright yellow, freesia-like flowers. The erect, green leaves are sword-shaped. There are several cultivars available, with flowers in various colours.

T. disticha produces flowers in various shades of red or pink in summer, on stems to 1 m (3 ft) high. Subsp. rubrolucens is worth growing for its long display of pink flowers.

Cultivation

In frost-prone climates, grow in a cool greenhouse or conservatory, in pots of well-drained potting compost. Plant corms 10 cm (4 in) deep, in autumn. When the plants become dormant sometime after flowering, they should be kept warm and dry. Watering is resumed when growth commences. T. disticha is frost-hardy and in mild areas, can be grown outdoors in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Propagate from offsets or from seed germinated at 16°C (61°F).

Climate

Zone 9.