Hessea mathewsii produces ethereal umbrellas of white flowers with dark pink to red centres
Description:
Hessea are rare South African bulbs known as umbrella lilies because they produce showy umbels of beautiful starry flowers that look like umbrellas. Each bulb produces two narrow, erect to spreading, strap-shaped leaves. H. mathewsii is a small species that is endangered in the wild. It produces ethereal umbrellas of white flowers with dark pink to red centres that number 10-30 per inflorescence in autumn after summer dormancy when they should be kept dry. Shiny green leaves emerge after flowering and persist through winter into spring. Easy to grow and bloom in sandy, gritty soil mixes. Collect and plant the seeds to build a colony. Check out pictures from the website of the Pacific Bulb Society to get a better sense for the beauty of this bulb. Our nursery-grown bulbs are adult blooming size as of 2022.
Common Name: Umbrella Lily - [Spring B&B Pre-Order]
Family: Amaryllidaceae (The Amaryllis Family)
Zone Hardiness: 10-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 4-8"
Width: 4-8"
Primary Bloom Colour: White/Cream
Secondary Bloom Colour: Red
Class: Deciduous
Type: Tender
Bloom Time: Fall
Soil Moisture: Dry
Stem Colour:
Fragrance: Yes
Berries:
Benefits: Bees
Deer Resistant: Unknown
BC Native: No
Native Habitat: Damp depressions near granite and limestone outcrops in the Western Cape which is in the winter rainfall region.
Award: AGM
Geogrpahical Origin: Europe and Africa - Southern Africa and Madagascar
*The Plant Encyclopedia is updated each year to provide a representation of the plants we offer, have offered, and may offer again. However, it is not a live inventory of our stock. Not all plants will be available at all times or in every year. Use the link above to enquire about the availability of this plant. Additionally, we carry many plants that have not yet been entered into our database so please enquire if you don’t see what you’re looking for. Plants are available only for on-site sales at our nursery in Richmond, BC, Canada or for shipping within Canada. We do not ship internationally. However, if you are visiting the nursery from afar, we can arrange for the necessary permits and paperwork for you to take plants back with you to your country.