Rhodoxis Ria

The Rhodoxis hybrid 'Ria' is a small ground-covering plant that offers numerous bicolored star-shaped flowers from late spring to autumn. This variety produces flowers with petals pointed with fresh pink, which fades over time. They create a charming bicolored effect on the carpet of leaves. It is a vigorous rock garden plant, but not very hardy. Outside of our privileged regions, it should be planted in pots for winter protection. 

The cultivar 'Ria' is the result of hybridization between a Rhodohypoxis and a Hypoxis, which explains why it is often also called Rhodoxis 'Ria'. All these plants belong to the small family of Hypoxidaceae, which are mostly found in the Southern Hemisphere. Rhodohypoxis are plants with small fleshy rhizomes that form lovely, very floriferous small clumps.

The Rhodoxis Ria has the particularity, unlike the wild species, of quickly forming a dense and vigorous carpet, about 15 cm (6in) tall and 30 cm (12in) in diameter. Its small star-shaped flowers appear in masses from May to October, almost making the slender leaves covered in short silky hairs disappear. After flowering, the clump completely disappears until the following spring. Native to meadows in South Africa, where summers are hot and rainy, but winters are dry, rhodohypoxis are rather tender. Therefore, you cannot leave them outside all year round, unless you garden in a mild climate, where winter temperatures do not drop below -6 to -8 °C. Their hardiness will be better if the drainage is perfect.

Whether planted outdoors or in pots, in rock gardens or borders, Rhodoxis Ria can be paired with dwarf agapanthus such as 'Double Diamond' or 'Golden Drop', Eucomis Freckles, Tulbaghias, or the evergreen Armeria juniperifolia which will provide presence in winter. Other bulbs, such as muscaris or early Iris reticulata, will extend the flowering period.