<em>Freesia</em>: planting, cultivation, care

Description and botany

Freesia, also called Cape freesia, is a bulbous perennial with a corm native from East Africa to South Africa, notably Cape of Good Hope. It belongs to family Iridaceae and some species, notably Freesia laxa, have naturalized in parts of southern France.

Genus comprises 15 Freesia species but only horticultural hybrids (Freesia x hybrida) are grown, most descending from Freesia refracta. They display a wide range of colours and some hybrids bear double flowers.

Freesia develops from a bulb, more precisely a corm (or cormus) that allows the plant to store nutrients and water (it is a storage organ). From this corm, the plant forms a clump with a fairly spreading habit of deciduous leaves from which slender stems about 0.20 to 40 cm high emerge.

From centre of each freesia plant emerge 4 to 5 scapes. Corm produces long, narrow, ribbon-like sheathing leaves 10 to 40 cm long, sword-shaped with an acute tip arranged in a fan at the base. Tender pale green, their shape is somewhat reminiscent of grass foliage or that of daylilies.

In spring, striking, delightfully scented flowering of freesias, set off by pale green clumps, never goes unnoticed. Carried on flexible, gracefully arched floral scapes but only slightly trailing, the flowers appear from May to July, sometimes until September, above the narrow leaves.

Freesia – botanical illustration excerpt from Les liliacées (1805) by P. J. Redouté

Freesia floral stems present a rather particular convex habit, bending at a right angle from the first flower; flowers are arranged unilaterally in clusters at the end of this often highly ramified stem. Each scape can carry up to 10 flowers 2 to 6 cm in diameter that open successively, delicate flower buds alongside inflorescences already in bloom. They take a funnel or slightly tubular bell shape. Corollas, widely open and turned upwards, are formed of six tepals. Centre contains stamens.

Although flowers are often single, there are cup-shaped varieties sometimes double such as Freesia ‘Double Bleu’ or Freesia ‘Double Rose’. From the most theatrical to the simplest, most natural forms, freesia flowers also come in almost every colour of the rainbow, from pure white to magenta pink through topaz yellow, scarlet red, lavender-blue or amethyst.

Freesia makes excellent cut flowers much appreciated by florists for scented, sophisticated and colourful summer bouquets that last up to 3 weeks in a vase.

Freesia ranks among the 10 most fragrant flowers, simple white or yellow freesias being the most scented; freesia flower gives off an intoxicating, heady and sweet perfume evoking jasmine, orange blossom and neroli.

Of southern origin, freesia is a frost-tender plant that does not tolerate temperatures below -3°C. It is particularly well suited to mild climates. It prefers warm, sunny positions and light, sandy, not too fertile, fresh and well-drained soil free of lime.

Freesia brightens any scree garden or rockery that stays cool, in the foreground of a sunny border or in a flowerbed provided its scented, inclined flowers can be admired up close. It is also grown in pots to enjoy its scent on the terrace.

Freesia is very often used in perfumery where its sweet, intense fragrances are used by major brands.

Main species and varieties

If genus comprises 15 species including Freesia grandiflora, Freesia laxa and Freesia lactea, you will most often find varieties of hybrid freesias (Freesia x hybrida), in a range of colours, with single or double flowers, most of which descend from Freesia refracta. We also offer mixes of hybrid freesias covering almost every colour of the rainbow.

Most popular

Freesia Simple Blanc

Cultivar appreciated for its delicate, highly fragrant flower spikes. Make space in garden or in a romantic pot!

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 35 cm

See the product sheet

Freesia Double Blue

Variety with double, cup-shaped flowers in lavender-blue. To grow in pot to enjoy jasmine scent on terrace or in garden in a border or rockery in sun, in fresh soil.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 50 cm

See the product sheet

Freesia Double White

Symbol of purity and eternal love, white freesia stands out in romantic border or in elaborate floral arrangements.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 40 cm

See the product sheet

Freesia Single Yellow

Topaz-coloured flowers that diffuse a gentle, jasmine-like scent. Perfect in open ground or in pots alongside other elegant, scented or unscented plants.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 40 cm

See the product sheet

Our favourites

Freesia Single Rose

Very handsome cultivar with single magenta-coloured flowers. Brings colourful, scented touch to rockeries, borders and even bouquets!

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 40 cm

See the product sheet

Freesia Double Mix

Flowers in this selection are double and display vivid, pastel or dark colours. To plant in pots, in rockeries or at borders.

• Flowering time June to September
• Height at maturity 35 cm

See the product sheet

Freesia Double Rose

Very decorative cultivar with double magenta-coloured flowers. Brings fragrant, sprightly touch to rockeries or borders.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 40 cm

See the product sheet

Freesia Simple Mix

Selection among the most beautiful cultivars with single flowers, whose colours vary endlessly, ranging from white to very deep red. In bouquets, brightens interiors as well as balconies and gardens.

• Flowering time June to September
• Height at maturity 35 cm

See the product sheet

Planting freesias

Where to plant Freesias?

Freesia grows almost everywhere in France; however it tolerates winter frosts poorly, so cultivation varies by region. Extremely tender and frost-sensitive, lifting is obligatory in regions with harsh winters if you want to keep plants for replanting the following year: once foliage has yellowed, Freesia bulbs should be lifted and stored dry and protected from frost.

In mild regions (olive zone), Freesia bulbs can remain in ground with a good mulch.

It will only be happy and floriferous in a warm, sunny position and in light but cool, well-drained soil, preferably sandy and non-calcareous.

With its medium height, Freesia is well suited to sunny flowerbeds, borders, rock gardens planted with annuals or perennials, or to container culture on a sunny terrace or balcony. It is a staple of cutting gardens for making bouquets all summer long.

When to plant Freesias?

Freesia corms are planted in spring, from March to May after last frosts, as soon as soil has warmed, because Freesia fears frost. If you want early flowering, bulbs can be forced like hyacinths, planted in autumn in pots and protected in a cool frost-free greenhouse to flower in mid-winter (see all Ingrid’s advice to force bulbs indoors).

How to plant Freesia bulbs

In open ground

Freesia bulbs are planted in small groups of 20 to 50 to create a strong display in beds, in a sandy, rich and light mix of two thirds potting compost and one third river sand.

• Loosen soil to a depth of 20–25 cm and remove weeds, roots and stones
• In heavy soil, improve drainage with gravel or river sand mixed into soil or laid as a 5–10 cm deep layer beneath bulbs
• Using a dibber, plant at about 3–5 cm depth, point of bulb facing upwards
• Space bulbs 20 cm apart in all directions
• Cover bulbs with soil
• Firm down with hand
• Stake flower stem if necessary
• Water without waterlogging

Find even more advice to succeed in planting Freesias in our sheet and in How to plant Freesias well?

In pots

Freesia bulbs are easily grown in pots to enjoy their scented flowering all summer on a terrace or balcony, mixed with other summer bulbs. In a 15 cm pot, allow 5 to 7 Freesia bulbs, spaced 6 cm apart. More advice on planting bulbs in pots in our video!

• Plant at 3–5 cm depth, point of bulb upwards in a mix of sand, potting compost and turf
• Spread a layer of clay pebbles in bottom of pot with drainage holes
• Cover with remaining mix
• Firm down
• Water lightly, then regularly but not excessively
• In autumn, bring pots under cover to a temperature not falling below 3 °C

Maintenance, pruning and care

Freesia is a bulb fairly easy to to grow, it only requires a few simple steps.

It does not need much water. Only water during growth and avoid wetting foliage too much: water regularly throughout summer, especially in hot weather to keep soil cool but without waterlogging the soil because freesia dislikes excess moisture that rots the bulbs. Keep roots cool with a mulch.

Leave bulbs dry during summer dormancy.

In a pot: water 1 to 2 times a week, allowing surface soil to dry between each watering. Optionally add a little organic bulb fertiliser to the watering water during the whole flowering. In winter: stop watering.

Flowering stem sometimes needs staking.

In regions with mild winters where frosts are light and infrequent and in sandy, well-draining soil, corms can remain in place over winter simply protected from frost by a thick mulch of dry leaves: simply cut foliage back to soil level once fully faded, to allow bulb time to rebuild reserves needed for next flowering.

In October or November, in cold regions, once foliage has yellowed and completely dried, dig up the corms, remove the buds and store them in a box in a dry frost-free place to replant the following spring. Bring pots indoors before frosts. To put pots back outside and replant bulbs, wait until temperatures are mild and soil warmed.

→ See also : Overwintering summer bulbs with Virginie’s advice!

No pruning necessary, however you can remove spent flowers as they fade and cut flower stems after flowering.

Potential diseases and pests

Freesia has average resistance to diseases. In poorly drained soil, moisture responsible for bulb rot, grey mould (Botrytis), causes greyish spots on leaves and flowers.

It is regularly endangered by gastropods that relish its young leaves. Protect it from their attacks by discovering our effective and natural methods to control slugs.

Fusariosis and stromatiniosis are also diseases that can threaten freesia: they cause drying and yellowing of leaves, spots on leaves and flowers and necrosis of bulbs: destroy affected bulbs.

Mosaic virus can also cause discolouration of flowers and striate markings on leaves: remove infected plants.

Freesia is sometimes attacked by aphids, which extract sap, weakening the plant. We recommend spraying foliage with black soap diluted in water.

If attacked by red spider mites: moisten foliage, as these insects dislike humidity.

Freesia propagation

Although sowing is possible, it is difficult to succeed (allow a few flower stems to go to seed to collect seeds). The simplest way to propagate freesias, however, is division of corms or separation of bulbils.

How to divide freesia corms?

• Do this in autumn, when leaves have yellowed, at time of lifting corms for storage
• Lift clump with fork or spade
• Separate bulblets or bulbils that form on edges of corms by hand or with a small knife
• Store them in a dry, dark place in pots filled with sand
• The following spring, replant in garden or in pots

What plants pair well with freesia?

Slender, with elegant flowers in rich colours, freesias flower generously all summer in every garden, from the most romantic to the most exotic. They add originality to borders, rockeries, beds, flowering containers as well as cut-flower garden — see our fact sheet to create “a cutting garden”.

Colourful freesia border

As freesia flowers come in a wide range of colours, they allow countless combinations, catching the eye with either vivid tones or softer shades (white, pink, pale yellow…).

Freesia can be planted in any scree garden or rockery, as companion to annuals or perennials such as dianthus or diascias for pink compositions or with perennial flax and coreopsis for blue/yellow harmonies.

In milder regions, it provides a subtle touch at the edge of a large border, appearing precious as companion to other fragrant or non-fragrant bulbous plants such as Crinum or Crinole de Powell, agapanthus, the giant Himalayan lily, gladioli, Amaryllis belladonna.

In a naturalistic garden, it will sit simply alongside perennials with summer flowering such as geraniums, nepeta, achilleas and nigellas.

For a romantic atmosphere, in pink/white harmonies, plant freesias at the feet of old roses, cosmos, aconites, astrances or dahlias in fresh colours and punctuate your border with a few feathery grasses such as bottlebrush grass.

Freesia grown in a pot, accompanied by a pot of Zantedeschia in the foreground

It is also very decorative in exotic-inspired borders with Siphonnas, daylilies, Phlomis fruticosa, orange, yellow or red Crocosmias, Phormium and with other summer bulbs of exotic aspect such as Lycoris or spider lily, cannas, Peruvian lilies or tuberous nasturtiums (Tropaeolum tuberosum).

Potted freesia can be paired with other elegant plants such as Amarcrinum on sunny terraces and indoors.