Freesia
Freesia species and hybrids (IRIDACEAE)
Planting and Growing Freesia
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow freesia in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of freesia
- Season of bloom and planting time for freesia
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for freesia
- When, how deep, and where to plant freesia
- How to plant freesia
- Watering, fertilizing, care and pests or diseases of freesia
- Landscape and indoor uses of freesia
- Comments about freesia and its features
Growing Freesia
Summer corm. Deciduous. About 19 species, many hybrids. Stands to 18 in. (45 cm) tall. Grasslike, midlength, bright green leaves, in fans.
Freesia Planting and Care Guide
Flowers
Spring, zones 7–10; summer, zones 4–6. Blue, orange, pink, purple, red, white, yellow. Multiple flared, sometimes double, trumpet-shaped, fragrant flowers, to 2 in. (50 mm) long, in branching, linear clusters.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 4–10; ground hardy, zones 9–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained soil. Fertility: Rich–average. 6.5–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Autumn in full sun, zones 9–10; spring, zones 4–8. Space 3–4 in. (75–100 mm) apart, 1–2 in. (25–50 mm) deep. Best planted annually as new stock, zones 4–8.
Freesia rebloom indoors when lifted and stored after their flowers fade. Replant the corms into containers in autumn, and keep the soil evenly moist without excess water. Sprouts will emerge and form flower stalks.
Proper Care
Moderate. Keep moist autumn–spring. Fertilize until buds form; dilute fertilizer to half the recommended rate. Deadhead. Mulch. Protect from wind. Stake to support. Propagate by offsets, seed.
Lifting and Storing
Dark, 50–60°F (10–16°C), in net bag or open basket of dry peat moss.
About This Species
Freesia are very fragrant and their scent perfumes areas beyond their landscape and garden plantings. Good choice for beds, borders, containers in cottage, indoor gardens and landscapes. Good for cutting. Naturalizes.