Lachenalia Rosabeth

Lachenalia 'Rosabeth' is a small, non-hardy perennial bulb, also known as the Cape Cowslip or Wild Hyacinth. It is best grown in pots or in the ground, in Mediterranean climates with a humid and mild winter and a dry summer, ideal for this South African plant. The plant blooms in late winter or early spring. Its spike inflorescence consists of a purple stem and tubular, bright red flowers with a green tip. During the growth and flowering period, water it regularly and then stop watering. This bulb requires dry soil in summer.

From the Asparagaceae family, Lachenalia are bulbous perennials, native to the Cape Province and Namaqualand in South Africa. They bloom in winter and lose their foliage in summer. The 'Rosabeth' variety is part of a series of hybrids called African Beauty, derived from Lachenalia aloides. Developed in the Netherlands, these cultivars are particularly suitable for indoor cultivation in our climates. Lachenalia 'Rosabeth' consists of a clump of long, slender leaves, a beautiful fleshy green with brown or purple spots. From the centre of the leaf clumps, purple, pendulous fleshy stems emerge. They bear bicoloured tubular, 4 cm long flower spikes composed of 2 nested tubes. The outer tube is slightly shorter than the inner one. The outer tube is red with a chartreuse tip and the inner tube is green. These spikes bloom for about 3 weeks between late winter and early spring. After flowering, the leaves turn yellow and dry as the plant enters summer dormancy. This is the time to leave it alone and keep it dry.

Lachenalia 'Rosabeth' thrives in pots and allows you to create original and very attractive container displays for balconies and terraces. For a decorative and original effect, combine several varieties of Lachenalia in a large pot: the 'Rupert' variety is covered in purple flowers and the 'Namakwa' variety has yellow and red flowers. It is also suitable for lightly heated verandas. It blooms in winter as long as you have kept it dry for at least 2 months. In warm coastal gardens protected from frost, in a sheltered location, it can be grown in the ground.