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BulbsHerbaceous Perennial

Albuca shawii

Shaw's albuca

A deciduous species with very narrow, fleshy, slightly sticky leaves and slender, erect flower stems, to 30cm, bearing many nodding, yellow flowers with green stripes for quite a long season in summer. Flowers are almond-scented, and foliage slightly aromatic

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0–0.1 metre

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

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: Matforming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten, skin irritant - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Albuca are bulbous perennials with linear or narrowly lance-shaped leaves and loose racemes of yellow or white flowers, with three spreading tepals and three forming a tube, each often marked with green or brown on the reverse
Name status: Correct
Plant range: S Africa, Lesotho

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant bulbs 8-10cm (3-4in) deep in spring. Any sunny position in a well-drained, fertile soil is suitable. Under glass, grow in containers of peat-free John Innes No 2 potting compost with added sharp sand and leafmould. A position in full light is ideal. Water moderately when the bulbs are in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. When dormant, keep bulbs dry

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 13-18°C (55-64F) as soon as ripe or remove offsets when the plant is dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Gravel garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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