Plant Freesias for Sweet-Smelling Blooms in Spring
These colorful flowers lend a cheerful touch to garden beds
Brightly colored freesias are a choice bulb for warm-winter climates. They can’t handle the chilly weather that many other bulbs need. Instead, they thrive where they get winter and spring rains and summer drought. If that describes your climate zone, then plant these bulbs in fall for almost guaranteed spring blooms year after year.
If your climate leans toward the cold side, don’t despair. Instead, treat freesias as annuals. Plant them in spring when the danger of frost has passed. They’re fast-growing enough that they’ll be blooming within about 10 to 12 weeks. Even better, grow them indoors to add some springtime cheer over winter.
If your climate leans toward the cold side, don’t despair. Instead, treat freesias as annuals. Plant them in spring when the danger of frost has passed. They’re fast-growing enough that they’ll be blooming within about 10 to 12 weeks. Even better, grow them indoors to add some springtime cheer over winter.
Benefits and tolerances: These quick-blooming warm-climate bulbs spread and set seeds easily, providing plenty of future blooms; volunteer seedlings of any color freesia may revert to white.
When to plant: Plant in fall In USDA zones 9 and above and in spring, after the last frost, in USDA zones 4 to 8; choose a spot with well-drained soil; they prefer full sun but can handle partial shade, especially in the morning
When to plant: Plant in fall In USDA zones 9 and above and in spring, after the last frost, in USDA zones 4 to 8; choose a spot with well-drained soil; they prefer full sun but can handle partial shade, especially in the morning
Distinguishing traits. Freesia’s trumpet-shaped flowers, up to eight per stem, appear along one side of the top of 1- to 1½-foot-tall branched stems. The stems bend at a right angle just below the flower buds, so the flowers face upward. They’re surrounded by 1-foot-tall narrow, light-green swordlike foliage.
The species F. lactea (syn. F. alba) has been a past favorite, with single white flowers and a strong, sweet perfume. In nurseries and garden centers, you’re more likely to find the Dutch and Tecolote hybrids, which have single and double blooms in white, yellow, orange, red, pink, blue, lavender and purple. The hybrids also are known for their fragrance, though it’s not as strong as that of the species. The general wisdom is that white and yellow hybrids tend to be more fragrant.
The species F. lactea (syn. F. alba) has been a past favorite, with single white flowers and a strong, sweet perfume. In nurseries and garden centers, you’re more likely to find the Dutch and Tecolote hybrids, which have single and double blooms in white, yellow, orange, red, pink, blue, lavender and purple. The hybrids also are known for their fragrance, though it’s not as strong as that of the species. The general wisdom is that white and yellow hybrids tend to be more fragrant.
How to use it. Use at the front of a garden bed, where you can enjoy the blooms close up, or allow to naturalize throughout your garden. Plant in groups or masses for the best effect. Freesias make excellent cut flowers, thanks to their open flowers and sweet scent.
Browse vases by material and color
Browse vases by material and color
Planting and growing notes. Set the corms 2 inches deep and 2 inches apart, pointed end up. Water well once planted, but don’t let the soil get soggy. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy, when foliage appears, while the plants are blooming and until the leaves start to yellow in late spring. Cut back and withhold water completely during summer. Resume watering in fall.
If you live in an area with rainy summers, dig up the bulbs after the foliage turns completely yellow and replant in fall. You can also dig and divide them when flower production starts to fade. If you live in a cold-winter area, treat freesias as annuals or plant them in containers to keep them sheltered during freezing temperatures and then bring them outside. You can also grow them indoors.
If you live in an area with rainy summers, dig up the bulbs after the foliage turns completely yellow and replant in fall. You can also dig and divide them when flower production starts to fade. If you live in a cold-winter area, treat freesias as annuals or plant them in containers to keep them sheltered during freezing temperatures and then bring them outside. You can also grow them indoors.
Growing in containers. Grow freesias as perennials in containers if you live in a cold-winter climate. They can do well in 5- or 6-inch pots but also will be fine in larger containers. Set the corms at least 2 inches deep and 1 inch apart. Keep the soil moist but not soggy when they are growing and blooming and until the leaves turn yellow, then withhold water until fall. Move the containers to a dry, cool location out of danger of frost or snow in winter.
If you’re growing freesias indoors, choose a well-lit room (south-facing is best) that stays cool, from 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, or 16 to 18 degrees Celsius, during the day and about 55 degrees Fahrenheit, or 13 degrees Celsius, at night. Keep the soil moist while the plant is growing and blooming.
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If you’re growing freesias indoors, choose a well-lit room (south-facing is best) that stays cool, from 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, or 16 to 18 degrees Celsius, during the day and about 55 degrees Fahrenheit, or 13 degrees Celsius, at night. Keep the soil moist while the plant is growing and blooming.
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Common name: Freesia
Origin: Southeast Africa
Bloom season: Spring
Where will it grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 7 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 9 to 11; find your zone); If you live in a cold-winter area, treat freesias as annuals or plant them in containers to keep them sheltered during freezing temperatures and then bring them outside; you can also grow them indoors
Mature size: 1 to 1½ feet tall with flowers up to 2 inches long and wide
Water requirement: Regular water while growing and blooming
Light requirement: Full sun or partial shade
Bulb type: Corm
Fun fact: Freesias were given their name by German botanist Dr. Friedrich Freese.