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Moraea polystachya

Cape blue tulip

A cormous perennial producing three to five narrow, upright leaves to 80cm long on branching stems. In summer bears light blue to purple, iris-like flowers, the outer petals bearing a white-edged, yellow mark at the base

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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: Iridaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Moraea are cormous perennials with linear, sword-shaped or rolled leaves and clusters of short-lived iris-like flowers in late spring or summer
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Namibia to S Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow at the base of a warm, sunny wall in a well-drained, humus-rich, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Under glass grow in a peat-free, loam-based compost with added sharp grit. Water sparingly when growth begins and freely in full growth. Dry off as leaves wither, to ensure a dry dormancy from mid-summer to autumn

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a coldframe in spring, or separate offsets when dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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