Freesia Single Red

Freesia Single Red is a small cormous plant that stands out with the sweet jasmine scent emitted by its flowering. Its convex-shaped floral stem supports a unilateral flowering, composed of conical-shaped bright red flowers with a yellow throat. In mild climates, the bulbs can overwinter in the ground, where they will faithfully flower every year, starting in spring. Elsewhere, freesias can be used to create beautiful and fragrant potted displays in summer.

Freesias, also known as cape lilies, are native to East Africa, from Kenya to South Africa. They were named by Danish botanist Ecklon in honour of one of his brightest students, Dr. Freese, who was a physician, pharmacist, and botanist. These beautiful plants belong to the Iridaceae family. Their floral stems give them a spreading and highly branched habit.

Freesia Single Red develops tender green foliage that is upright and sword-shaped with a sharp tip. Both the leaves and floral stems reach a height of about 35 to 40cm (14 to 16in). The inflorescence develops from May to July, depending on the date of bulb planting. It grows on a convex-shaped floral stem. This flowering consists of 8 to 10 flowers, 2 to 3cm (1in) in size, arranged on the same side of the stem. They are actinomorphic, meaning radially symmetrical. Each plant will produce 4 to 5 floral stems. The flowers emit a sweet fragrance reminiscent of jasmine. Some will even describe it as having tones of neroli with spicy and honeyed inflections. Freesias are often referred to as bulbous plants. More precisely, it is a corm, an underground organ that stores nutrients for the plant. Unlike true bulbs, the corm exhausts all of its reserves during each seasonal cycle and is replaced each time by a new one. These corms are conical and measure about 1 to 2cm (1in) at its base. They should be planted with the apex facing upwards at a depth of 5cm (2in). This will make it easier for the new shoots to emerge. The deciduous foliage dries up and disappears after flowering. The plant then enters a dormant phase in dry soil.

Freesias are frost-sensitive and cannot tolerate temperatures below -5°C (23°F). If you want to grow them in open ground, make sure that the last frosts have passed before planting. Plant them in a sunny location. They prefer moist, well-drained, sandy to rocky soils. They do not tolerate limestone. It can be planted with orange, yellow, or red crocosmias in rockeries or borders. Whether in the ground or in a pot, they can be combined with other elegant plants. While the leaves are green, the plant replenishes its reserves for the following year. At the end of the season, let the foliage turn yellow and dry. Then dig up the corms and store them in a dry and cool place, protected from frost. Replant them in spring. Freesias are perfect in elaborate floral arrangements. Once the first flowers have bloomed, you can prune the floral stem and keep the flowers fresh for about three weeks.