Watsonia aletroides
Watsonia aletroides
Watsonia aletroides
Watsonia
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Available in 1 sizes
This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty
More information
We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Description
Native to the Cape region in South Africa, Watsonia aletroides is a semi-hardy bulbous plant that bears spike-like inflorescences of tubular flowers in spring, with a vibrant shade that is intermediate between coral pink and shrimp pink. This plant has sword-shaped, glossy leaves reminiscent of Gladioli. It thrives in well-drained, light soil that is moist during the growing season and dry in summer, and prefers full sun.
Belonging to the Iridaceae family like Crocosmias, Schizostylis, and Dietes, Watsonia aletroides is a cormous plant with medium green, glossy foliage that resembles Gladioli leaves and reaches a height of 40cm (16in). In its native habitat, it grows on rocky slopes, high plateaus, and grassy slopes. From late spring to early summer, depending on the climate, it produces upright, unbranched inflorescences that are 60cm (24in) in height and adorned with a dozen elongated trumpet-shaped flowers. The flowers have a slightly upturned edge and are an indescribable translucent, shiny watermelon red-pink color. They measure 4 to 5cm (2in) in length and gently tilt towards the ground. When left to its own devices in a mild climate, the plant gradually forms beautiful clumps through the production of underground bulblets.
In the intense light of June, the inflorescences of Watsonia aletroides create original and highly colourful scenes. For a modern mass planting with exotic flair, mix your Watsonia aletroides bulbs with Kniphofias, Crocosmias, Libertias, and Carex. This plant is cultivated similarly to Gladioli, which are lifted after the foliage has turned yellow and then replanted in early spring. It also makes beautiful container displays for decorating a terrace or balcony.
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Watsonia
aletroides
Iridaceae
Watsonia
South Africa
Planting and care
Hardy down to -7, -8°C (17.6°F), Watsonia aletroides likes moist soils from September-October to May-June, and dry soils in summer. In its natural habitat, it is an accommodating plant that tolerates clayey and heavy soils, as long as they are dry in summer. It is a plant adapted to a Mediterranean climate, suited to summer drought which corresponds to its dormancy period. It primarily dislikes humid summers and winters that are both harsh and rainy. In colder regions, plant it facing south, on a sand dune, in a rockery or on a slope. When planting, replace your topsoil with pure sand to maximize drainage around the bulb. Store the bulbs in a box filled with turf and keep them in a dry, frost-free place. In Mediterranean regions, where winter frosts are not too severe, this Watsonia, planted deep (25 or 30cm (10 or 12in) deep to ensure good anchoring of the stems), can remain in the ground, in full sun, with regular watering if spring is dry.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.
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