The original uploader was Jeantosti at English Wikipedia. / CC BY-SA 3.0
Freesia
Freesia alba
Overview
South African bulbs prized for their intensely sweet, fruity fragrance that is one of the most beloved scents in the floral world. Freesias produce graceful one-sided sprays of funnel-shaped flowers in white, yellow, pink, red, and purple. They are outstanding cut flowers whose fragrance fills an entire room.
Growing Conditions
How to Grow Freesia
Freesia (Freesia alba) is a forb/herb that grows to about 174 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide.
Freesia is hardy across USDA hardiness zones 6–10. Plant it in well-drained, sandy, moderately fertile soil, at a slightly acidic pH of 6–7.5.
Exact sowing, transplanting, and harvest months shift by climate zone — the planting calendar below lays them out for cool through hot regions. Its flowers appear from May through June, offering moderate value to pollinators. Match it to the right spot, and the rest is mostly patience.
Companion Planting & Soil
Freesia grows well alongside ranunculus, anemone, and iris.
Good Companions
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Start Indoors | Feb — Mar | Start corms indoors in pots; not cold hardy — treat as annual or dig corms in fall |
| Cold (1-2) | Bloom | Jun — Jul | Fragrant tubular flowers in many colors; support stems — they lean toward light |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Apr — May | Plant corms 2" deep after last frost; full sun; fragrant cut flower |
| Cool (3-4) | Bloom | May — Jun | Intensely fragrant spring/early summer bloom; excellent vase life |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Oct — Nov | Fall-plant corms in zones 8+; mulch lightly for winter insulation |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Mar — Apr | Plant in spring; or fall in mild areas for spring bloom |
| Moderate (5-7) | Bloom | Apr — May | Spring bloom; one of the most fragrant bulbs |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Oct — Nov | Plant corms in fall for late winter/spring bloom; excellent cut flower |
| Warm (8-9) | Bloom | Feb — Apr | Late winter through spring bloom |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Nov — Dec | Plant in late fall; blooms in late winter; dig and store corms after foliage dies |
| Hot (10+) | Bloom | Jan — Mar | Winter/early spring bloom; heat ends flowering quickly |
Uses
Beyond the Garden
Freesia earns its keep past the plate, too: exceptional fragrant cut flower; container planting for cool greenhouses; naturalizing in mild climates (zones 9-10).
