Freesia The original uploader was Jeantosti at English Wikipedia. / CC BY-SA 3.0
garden

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

Hardiness Zones6 — 10
Height53.02m
Spread0.77m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuemoderate

Companion Planting & Soil

Good Companions

RanunculusAnemoneIris
Soil pH6 — 7.5
Soil TypeWell-drained, sandy, moderately fertile soil

Planting Calendar

When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.

ZoneActionMonthsNotes
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

Other Uses

  • Exceptional fragrant cut flower
  • Container planting for cool greenhouses
  • Naturalizing in mild climates (zones 9-10)