Rhodohypoxis White Princess

Rhodohypoxis 'White Princess' is a beautiful variety of Rhodoxis hybrid with white-pink flowers, originating from a small South African bulbous plant that thrives in flowering pots during a very long spring, summer, and even autumn period. Plant bulbs in groups of 5 or 10, in a sunny location, in well-drained soil where they easily and rapidly multiply. Rhodohypoxis also thrives in rockeries and sunny borders, in coastal gardens protected from severe frost.

Rhodohypoxis belong to the Hypoxidaceae family. These are perennial herbaceous plants with a storage organ closer to a thickened rhizome than a true bulb. There are 6 species, all originating from South Africa, where their growth cycle depends on the local climate: the plants grow and flower during the hot and rainy season, but go dormant during the cold and dry season. This explains their poor hardiness in our cold and humid regions during winter. Rhodohypoxis are appreciated for their long and generous flowering, with pink, white, or red star-shaped flowers that truly brighten up gardens, terraces, or balconies.

Rhodohypoxis 'White Princess' forms a small clump of thin, long, fuzzy, ribbed, medium green leaves, reaching 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) high when flowering. The clump spreads quite rapidly in width thanks to its bulbous rhizomes. From June to October, numerous flowering stems emerge from the foliage. The flowers with 6 unequal petals are 2-3 cm (1in) wide and do not have visible stamens, they seem to be devoid of a heart. In reality, the stamens and pistil are hidden inside the tube formed by the petals fused at the base. The flowers are solitary or grouped in pairs on the floral stems. The plant goes dormant a few weeks after flowering, with its rhizomes needing to be protected from moisture during this period.

The relatively frost-sensitive Rhodohypoxis are best grown in pots in regions where winters are harsh and humid. Plant them in March, in small groups of 5 to 10, in acidic, well-drained soil, in a sunny or semi-shaded location with other small bulbs (grape hyacinths, Ipheion, spring crocuses, snowdrops, freesias...). In pots, a mix of compost, garden soil and vermiculite is necessary, repot every year. It is also useful to feed two to three times a year. Maintenance consists of removing faded flowers, dividing to keep a minimum of three bulbs per pot, and stopping watering when the leaves wither. Winter in a dark and cool room with monthly watering. Rhodohypoxis are used to create beautiful borders, in rockeries in gardens with little exposure to frost.