Homeria, Cape Tulip: Planting, Growing, and Care

Description and Botany

The Homeria, sometimes nicknamed “Cape Tulip”, is a bulbous plant from the iris family, much like irises and corn lilies (Ixia) which it resembles. It originates from the Cape region in South Africa, where it grows on sandy and rocky slopes up to high altitudes, in plains and pastures.

Formerly classified in the Homeria genus, it now belongs to the Moraea genus which includes 32 species, only a few of which are cultivated; Homeria ochroleuca (synonym Moreae ochroleuca), Homeria flaccida (syn. Moraea flaccida), H. collina, H. comptonii, H. elegans and H. lilicina, with pale mauve flowers, not to mention their hybrids.

This herbaceous plant develops from an underground storage organ in the form of a perennial corm. This is a sort of rounded, flattened bulb surrounded by a fibrous tunic. From this small bulb, about 2 cm in diameter, emerges an upright and slender clump that grows 40 to 75 cm tall when in flower. In our temperate regions, the clump thickens over time, returning faithfully each year.

The foliage consists of long, narrow, linear, ribbon-like deciduous leaves in bright green. The basal leaves measure from 20 cm up to 1 m long, envelop the flower stem at the base and are traversed by longitudinal veins. They emerge from the base and fan out to form a beautiful, elegant clump that will persist in winter only in mild climates. A few smaller, narrow sword-shaped leaves are present in the upper part of the stems. This slender foliage, folded in two, disappears completely in summer, marking a period of dormancy, only to reappear in autumn and persist depending on the severity of winter. Some time after flowering, in early summer, the foliage dries up and the plant goes dormant.

Carried in twos or threes at the top of tall, rigid, slender and branched stems, sometimes slightly zigzagging, the flowers appear. Flowering occurs from March-April to July, depending on the species and climate, in the form of pretty, stylised flowers. Discreet but elegant, the inflorescences bloom into fragrant open cups measuring 3 to 7 cm in diameter, formed of 6 elongated petals arranged in a staggered pattern. They open wide in the sun to reveal their long, thick style with stamens. Their shape is somewhat reminiscent of certain botanical tulips. They display rather unusual colours in a palette of generally fruity tones, ranging from yellow to orange, through melon, salmon, apricot, peach, or greenish-yellow. They are always brightened by a throat spotted with yellow or orange. With their translucent texture, the delicate petals reveal fine veins.

Homeria ochroleuca (© Vahe Martirosyan), Homeria flaccida and Moraea polystachya

This very elegant flowering is unfortunately short-lived, once open, each flower lasts only one to two days but the flowers follow one another for 4 to 6 weeks. They make up for their brevity with their abundance and pleasant musky fragrance.

Nectariferous, they are crowned with butterflies and bees that delight in their pollen and nectar.

The flowers turn into fruits, plump green capsules turning brown when ripe, containing numerous small brown seeds.

Main species and varieties

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Planting Homeria bulbs

Where to Plant the Cape Tulip?

Native to Africa, Homeria is a tender perennial best suited to open ground in Mediterranean climates with mild winters. The corm of the Cape Tulip perishes below -5°C. Being frost-sensitive, it should be grown in pots and stored frost-free elsewhere during winter. Drought-resistant in summer, this bulb is well-adapted to Mediterranean coastal areas. However, it dislikes heavy, waterlogged soil, which may rot the corm during its dormancy period.

If your climate allows for outdoor cultivation, plant it in a sheltered spot or at the base of a warm, sunny wall protected from strong winds. To prevent corm rot, ensure they are grown in a light, well-draining substrate. A humus-rich, moderately fertile soil is ideal. In heavy soil, planting in a rockery or raised mound is preferable.

Planted in small clusters rather than singly, the Cape Tulip brightens rockeries and is perfect for adding elegance, colour, and lightness to borders or perennial beds.

As the foliage yellows quickly after flowering, pair it with plants that will take over during its summer dormancy to avoid gaps in mid-summer displays.

When to Plant Homeria?

Homeria bulbs should be planted in spring, from March to May. In mild climates, they can also be planted in autumn.

Homeria (Moraea) tricolor

How to Plant Cape Tulip Bulbs?

In open ground

Plant Cape Tulip bulbs in small groups of 10 for a natural look. Avoid planting too many, as their flowering is brief and foliage withers quickly. Like most flowering bulbs, they require light, well-drained soil. If your soil is clay-heavy, be sure to add coarse sand or gravel to improve drainage.

• Loosen the soil well
• Use a bulb planter to dig holes
• Spread a layer of sand or gravel directly beneath the corms
• Plant corms 10 cm deep, pointed end up, spaced 10-15 cm apart
• Cover with soil and firm down
• Water
• Keep dry in summer

In pots

• Add a thick drainage layer of clay pebbles, pumice, or gravel at the base of a pot at least 20-30 cm in diameter and depth
• Plant 2-3 corms, pointed end up, in a mix of 50% compost and 50% river sand
• Cover with soil and firm down
• Water thoroughly

Care and Maintenance

In the ground

Provide moderate watering during the leaf growth period. During flowering, increase watering: once a week during growth if the soil is very dry. Reduce watering gradually as the leaves dry and yellow to ensure bulb dormancy in dry substrate: corms need a rest period after flowering to replenish their reserves. Keep the bulbs almost dry during their summer dormancy. Only cut back the foliage once it has completely dried out.

In borderline hardiness zones, protect the corms from cold by placing a thick layer of organic mulch over the stumps.

If you live in a cold climate, dig up the corms in autumn to protect them from frost. Store them in a dry, airy, cool, frost-free place, safe from rodents. You can replant them in spring.

Dividing clumps every 4-5 years helps rejuvenate the plant.

Homeria is not prone to diseases or parasitic attacks.

In pots

Keep the substrate moist throughout the growing season but never allow water to stagnate in saucers: water one to three times a week.

Top-dress in spring with a little compost or potting soil.

When the foliage has completely yellowed, it’s time to stop watering and mulch the corms if the pot remains outdoors in winter. In colder regions, store the pot in a dry, cool, frost-free place.

Propagation

Dividing the corms is the simplest method to propagate the Cape Tulip. Do this every 4 to 5 years during the dormancy period when the flowering cycle is fully completed. They will flower after 2-3 years.

1. Dig up the clump using a garden fork
2. With a small, sharp knife, detach the small bulbils that have formed around the mother bulb
3. Replant them in the garden in well-draining soil or in pots
4. Water

Pair

The Cape Tulip is best planted in small groups in the middle of a rockery or to fill out a sunny flower bed. It brings elegance and dynamism to summer or spring compositions.

For an exotic touch, mix Homeria flaccida bulbs with summer-flowering perennials; Kniphofias, Cape Daisies (Osteospermum), crocosmias, Cannas, and other blooms in warm tones. They also pair well with gladioli.

Plant Homeria ochroleuca in sunny rockeries alongside simple flowers like snapdragons and wallflowers or small spring bulbs such as botanical tulips or daffodils, which bloom at the same time.

It will also thrive alongside other plants native to South Africa, such as the Cape Aster or Felicia, an undershrub covered all summer in extraordinary sky-blue daisies, or Gazania, another annual with vividly coloured daisy-like flowers. Accentuate the display with clumps of ornamental grasses like pennisetum, which has a more relaxed habit.

Homeria ochroleuca, Kniphofia, gladioli and Crocosmia crocosmiiflora ‘Sunglow’