Scientific Name
Ferraria ferrariola (Jacq.) Willd.
Common Name(s)
Spider Iris, Starfish Lily
Synonym(s)
Moraea ferrariola, Ferraria angustifolia, Ferraria antherosa, Ferraria longa, Ferraria minor, Ferraria viridiflora
Scientific Classification
Family: Iridaceae
Subfamily: Iridoideae
Tribe: Irideae
Genus: Ferraria
Flower
Color: Greenish-white or pale greenish-yellow to greenish-blue
Bloom Time: Summer to early fall
Description
Ferraria ferrariola is a rare flowering plant with greenish-white or pale greenish-yellow to greenish-blue flowers with the outer segments finely striped with short dark lines. Other distinguishing characteristics are a stem not covered with leaf sheaths and red or purple-spotted basal leaf sheaths.
The flowers are sweetly scented. Each flower lasts only a day but is borne over two months.
How to Grow and Care
Ferrarias are easy bulbs to grow. These plants prefer to be in full sun or semi-shade in loamy, well-drained soil just beneath the surface (1-2 inches/2.5-5 cm). Plants in too much shade will fail to bloom and eventually die out. The rarer species are generally best grown in pots or containers.
The care of Ferraria corms doesn't require too much, either. Once their spring flowering has completed, the foliage will slowly fade, and the Ferraria plants will go dormant in summer. During this time, all watering should be limited.
Bring any container-grown plants indoors for overwintering and provide a generous amount of mulch for winter protection to those growing outdoors.
Established Ferraria plants will produce large clumps each year. These can be easily divided in the spring when overcrowding becomes a problem or if additional plants are desired elsewhere in the garden.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Ferraria.
Origin
Ferraria ferrariola is native to the western coast of South Africa.
Links
- Back to genus Ferraria
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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