Mystery Plant spring bloom


A spring rainbow….even though there are heavy snow squalls outside of the glass, today. From the left, Primula malacoides,Vireya ‘Valentine;, an interspecific Clivia, a yellow Primula x Kewensis and Tropaeolum azureum.

I am still celebrating that my Tropaeolum azureum is blooming, if you read in my last posting, I had believed that it was a T. tricolor ( still nice, but not a precious as this is). These are all tuberous Nasturtiums, good for cool greenhouses, or in protected areas outside in California. Worth seeking out to try for something different.

My ‘Mystery Freesia’ or is it something else?

Is is a Lapierousia alata or a species of Freesia or Amenotheca? Help…. This was a packet of seeds from Silverhill Seeds in South Africa, labeled Freesia viridis, but clearly it isn’t. Any clues out there???

The crazy Bowea tutor that I planted two weeks ago, is starting to become more interesting. I love the way the new sprouts all grow in the same direction, it looks as if it is seaweed, so coral at this point.

Primula x kewensis now blooming in the greenhouse, a tender primula.

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Comments

  1. Cool freesia-like plant…don’t think it’s a freesia, is it scented? The leaves are sure close, as are the smaller buds, but I think not.If it’s scented I’ll change my mind! You could send Silver Hill the image,Right?

  2. Hi,
    Your mystery geophyte inspired me to go thru some of my SA books, and I was able to find it–it is Babiana sinuata(pg 78, SA Wildflower Guide 10-Cederberg). Pretty, and oddly delicate for a Babiana. Freesia viridis is a vigorous grower, it will seed around. If you want seed, let me know, I have some stashed somewhere in my fridge, sow it in fall and it will bloom the first year.
    Ernie geraniosgarden.blogspot.com

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