Bulbine frutescens Avera Sunset Orange - Cape Balsam

Bulbine frutescens 'Avera Sunset Orange' is an exotic perennial originating from South Africa, highly drought-resistant, but sensitive to cold. Suited for Mediterranean rockeries, it roots easily from its stems to gradually form a thick carpet. Its long succulent leaves, rich in gel with soothing and healing properties, are used in herbal medicine. Its spike-like inflorescences bear orange buds that open into star-shaped orange flowers, adorned with prominent yellow stamens. In a coastal garden, its flowering can last all year round if the winter is mild. Elsewhere, it thrives ideally in a pot on a terrace or balcony, to be brought indoors or into a conservatory to protect it from frost.

Bulbine frutescens is a herbaceous perennial plant with a woody base from the Asphodelaceae (or Liliaceae) family. This botanical species originates from the Cape Province in South Africa, particularly from the dry valleys of the Eastern Cape. Not demanding in terms of soil, the fibrous roots of bulbine only dislike poorly drained soils that retain moisture. It thrives in rocky or sandy, poor soils, even limestone. Its hardiness does not exceed -4 to -6°C at the lowest, in soil which is dry in winter. Its foliage persists throughout the year.

The 'Avera Sunset Orange' selection differs in its orange flower colour, they are lemon yellow in the standard type, and in its floriferousness. It is a fast-growing succulent perennial, capable of forming a clump at least 60 cm wide, and 30 cm in height for the foliage. The base of the woody, prostrate stems bears some adventitious roots that penetrate the soil very easily. Its foliage consists of long, erect, fleshy and narrow leaves, grooved, light and vivid green, becoming darker and greyer with age. Strongly overlapping at the base, they are arranged in opposite ranks. Flowering occurs from May to October-November in open ground, but takes a break in July-August in very dry summers. Flowering stems measuring up to 50 cm in height emerge between the leaves. At their tip, they bear a very tight raceme inflorescence, 8 to 10 cm long. The small flowers bloom from the base to the top. Each, not exceeding 1 cm in diameter, has 6 bright orange petals with a dark midline, curved backwards, revealing a cluster of hairy, bright yellow stamens. After pollination by insects, a small round capsule forms containing small, fine, winged black seeds, easily carried by wind and water.

Bulbine frutescens 'Avera Sunset Orange' is ideal for Mediterranean rockeries and dry coastal gardens. With its exotic appearance, it will appeal to botanical curiosity enthusiasts. Let it overflow from a large pot on the terrace in summer, but remember to protect it in winter. On a large slope, it harmonises perfectly with plants suited to dry soils, such as mauve or violet lavenders, creeping rosemary, Euphorbia myrsinites, rockroses, Perovskia, creeping ceanothus, valerian and many more.

Medicinal properties: bulbine leaves have the same uses as Aloe vera leaves. Fresh sap is recommended for treating burns, irritations, chaps, insect bites...