Freesia laxa and Freesia species are native to South Africa and are one of our favorites at Solas Gardens. All Freesia laxa and Freesia species are winter growers and bloom late winter to early spring for us. They all like ample winter moisture and drier conditions during summer dormancy; but all the Freesia laxa's are far more tolerant of summer moisture. Freesia laxa subsp azurea, Freesia alba, and Freesia leichtlinii can also tolerate some occasional summer moisture. The Freesia species break dormancy and begin to grow for us in early to mid October and the Freesia laxa's are growing again by mid-November. They all benefit from slightly acidic, well-draining soil; and full sun in winter to increasingly shadier conditions in late spring. They are all dormant in the summer. The Freesia laxa's tend to also be more tolerant of colder winter temperatures, as well as Freesia alba. The other Freesia species are really not very tolerant of freezing temperatures and are probably best grown in pots for protection on cold nights. All of the Freesia species are extremely fragrant, much more so than the modern Freesia hybrids. They all make excellent outdoor winter window box specimens such as the Freesia laxa subsp azurea below blooming for us below in mid-January; but are also great in the ground if you can match their needed growing requirements.
This unique and beautiful red spring blooming bulb is native to South Africa but has naturalized in old homesteads from Florida throughout the lower Gulf Coast States. Freesia laxa has been in cultivation for 200 years; but is rarely seen in commerce today, although it is an extremely reliable naturalized bulb in our gardens. It blooms for us from late February through March on 12" stalks, red with darker red blotches, and goes completely dormant by early summer. It seems not to be bothered by either moisture or dryness during its dormancy; but appreciates ample moisture during active growth and a well draining soil. This underused little beauty is a rapid reproducer and one of our favorite early spring bulbs! It grows well in full sun to partial shade and is recommended for zones 8b-11.
2 bulbs/$3.50
5 bulbs/$6.00
9 bulbs/$10.00
ships May 15-Oct 1
seeds available on this species
Freesia laxa white is exactly like Freesia laxa red in its care and bloom season; except it blooms in a pure white with no blotches of any color. Very seldom offered to the public and also good for growing in zones 8b-11.
3 bulbs/$9.00
ships May 15-Oct 1
seeds available on this species
Freesia laxa 'Joan Evans' is exactly like Freesia laxa red in its care and bloom season; except it blooms in a clear white with a pink blotch on the lower petals and is also good for growing in zones 8b-11.
sold out for 2008--available May 15 2009
Its best to be put on a reserve list for this variety--sells out very fast
This form of Freesia laxa is a rare find with pale lilac-blue blooms with a darker purplish-maroon blotch. In all aspects, its care is the same as for the Freesia laxa red form; except it blooms earlier, beginning mid-January for us. This little gem is rarely found offered in the United States; and although some say it's not as easy to grow as the other Freesia laxa's, we have not found that to be true. It's actually the most cold hardy and earliest bloomer of any of our Freesia laxa's. It also reproduces quickly and is recommended for growing in zones 8b-11.
3 bulbs/$10.50
ships May 1-Oct 1
seeds available on this species:
This is a species of Freesia which is native to South Africa and is one of the fragrant forerunners of the modern hybrids. Like all Freesia's, its a rapid reproducer and is white with either pale yellow splashes on the lower petals. This species likes it dry during its dormancy, but can tolerate some rainfall if it is located in an area with good drainage. It likes full sun in winter and partial sun in spring; it blooms for us in February or early March and appreciates ample moisture during growth. Recommended for growing in zones 8b-11.
sold out for 2008--available May 2009
Best to be put on the reserved list for these--sells out very fast
Freesia fucata is an early blooming, very fragrant species that is white flushed purple with yellow markings. It does well in clay soils but needs a dry summer dormancy. Plant height is 8"-10" and it prefers full to partial sun while in active growth. Quite uncommon in trade and good for growing in zones 9-11.
sold out for season--available May 2009
This is a species of Freesia which is native to South Africa and is one of the fragrant forerunners of the modern hybrids. Like all Freesia's, its a rapid reproducer and is white with either pale yellow or pale purplish markings on the three lower petals. This species likes it dry during its dormancy, but can tolerate some rainfall if it is located in an area with good drainage. It likes full sun in winter and partial sun in spring; it blooms for us in February or early March and appreciates ample moisture during growth. Recommended for growing in zones 9-11.
3 bulbs/$9.00
sold out for season--available May 2009
seeds available on this species: $4.00
This species is 4"-20" in height and the blooms are funnel-shaped creamy white and yellow with bracts often brown-tipped. It does well in stony or sandy soil on slopes or flats and needs a dry summer dormancy. Quite uncommon in the trade and good for growing in zones 9-11.
sold out for season--available May 2009
Freesia refracta has a height of 8"-20" with and blooms are funnel-shaped greenish to dull purple with yellow to orange markings. Sometimes this species has a strong spice scent and needs a dry summer dormancy. It does well in stony soil on slopes or flats. Quite uncommon in the trade and good for growing in zones 9-11.
