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Bulbs

Bessera elegans

coral drops

A perennial with narrow, upright leaves to about 70cm tall. In late summer or autumn it produces a terminal cluster of dainty, scarlet and white flowers, on long, fine stems

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0–0.1 metre

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Bessera are perennials developing from corms, with narrow, linear leaves and brightly coloured, hanging flowers
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Mexico

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Water moderately in full growth and keep dry once the leaves die down. Outdoors, plant 6cm deep in well-drained soil in full sun in spring. Keep dormant corms dry in winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown under glass, or by division of the rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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