Watsonia Gigantea

Watsonia Gigantea forms a cluster of light green, sword-shaped leaves, reaching 50 to 80 cm in length and height. This bulbous perennial plant forms flower stalks that rise well above the foliage, up to 1.5 to 2 m high. The flowering resembles that of gladioli but lighter and taller. The orange-red flowers usually appear in late spring. The flowering period varies from region to region. It is easy to grow in a pot everywhere but only plant it in the ground in mild climates.

From the Iridaceae family, like Crocosmias and Gladioli, Watsonia Gigantea is a corm native to South Africa and Madagascar. It is a winter-growing plant in its native region. The giant Watsonia forms a cluster of light green, shiny, slender, long, and upright leaves like those of gladioli. The cluster reaches 80 cm in all directions. In June-July, graceful clusters of orange-red flowers rise to almost 1.5 to 2 m in height. They are tubular, measure 3 to 4 cm in length and have 6 tepals. About ten flowers are distributed on either side of each branched flower stem.   

This tender plant is easily cultivated in a pot. In the mildest regions, it can be grown in the ground. This is also possible in cold climates, provided that the corms are dug up when the foliage has turned yellow and stored in a frost-free place. You can replant them the following spring. Watsonia Gigantea will create architectural and exotic compositions by associating it with Carex oshimensis 'Everillo' with bright green foliage, a few clumps of Kniphofia 'Pineapple Popsicle' with cream-yellow flowers and Crocosmia 'Columbus' with orange-yellow flowers.