Scientific Name
Ferraria divaricata Sweet
Synonym(s)
Ferraria uncinata subsp. uncinata, Ferraria framesii
Scientific Classification
Family: Iridaceae
Subfamily: Iridoideae
Tribe: Irideae
Genus: Ferraria
Origin
Ferraria uncinata is native to South Africa.
Flower
Color: Blue to violet, brown and greenish-yellow
Bloom Time: Late summer
Description
Ferraria uncinata is a rare stunning plant with blue to violet flowers with brown markings and finely crisped and toothed greenish-yellow margins. It grows up to 1 foot (30 cm) tall. Flowers appear in late summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Ferrarias make lovely additions to the garden, adding a unique charm of their own. The star-like flowers, which resemble a starfish, have also prompted the nickname Starfish Lily. They are easy bulbs to grow. These plants prefer to be located in the 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 been completed, the foliage will slowly begin to fade, and the Ferraria flowers 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.
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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