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Watsonia borbonica

bugle lily

A clump-forming, cormous perennial to 1.5m, with narrowly sword-shaped leaves to 75cm long. In summer it produces branched spikes of up to 20 bright pink flowers; these are good for cutting

Synonyms

Watsonia pyramidata
Watsonia borbonica pink

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–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: Iridaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Watsonia are cormous perennials with erect, linear to narrowly lance-shaped leaves and curved, tubular flowers with spreading lobes, borne in simple or branched spikes
Name status: Correct
Plant range: S Africa (Cape)

How to grow

Cultivation

Outdoors, grow in light, well-drained soil in a warm and sheltered position. Keep well watered during the growing season. Protect with a deep, dry mulch in winter, or lift and store the corms. Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added sharp sand and leaf mould in full sun. In growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every month; keep just moist while dormant

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
Conservatory and greenhouse
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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