Family: Iridaceae

These beautiful, South African natives have long, tapering leaves and stalkless flowers borne in spikes. Flower colours range from white through many shades of pink, red, orange and lavender. There are around 50 species in this genus, all cormous plants, some growing up to 1.5 m (5 ft).

Species

W. borbonica (Synonyms: W. pyramidata) is one of the larger, more attractive species, with its tall spikes of rose red, funnel-shaped flowers.

W. coccinea grows to only 30 cm (12 in), with blood red, tubular flowers, in winter and spring.

W. marginata produces its lilac-pink flowers, marked with purple and white, in spring and early summer. It reaches 2 m (6 ft) tall.

W. meriana grows to about 50 cm (20 in), forming a neat clump of sword-shaped leaves. The summer flowers are a pretty shade of deep, rosy pink. Most of the watsonias grown in gar-dens are hybrids of mixed origin.

Cultivation

In the garden, grow in a warm, sunny position with well-drained soil. In frosty climates, grow in a cool greenhouse, or treat summer-flowering species as for gladioli, lifting in autumn and storing over winter. Propagate by division in spring.

Climate

Zone 9.