Beatrice Watsonia

An uncommon and very striking plant for milder areas, Watsonia pillansii is a semi-evergreen, cormous perennial, related to irises and gladioli. It makes a clump of sword-like, green leaves, 10-24”/25-60cm long. In August and September, slender, upright, branched stems 39”/1m tall rise above the foliage, bearing up to 25 tubular, bright orange-red, crocosmia-like flowers with splayed petals, making brilliant dots of colour in the border. Although reasonably hardy in milder areas, it can suffer damage in harsh winters; do not over-feed, and leave the foliage on the plant to protect against frost.  Beatrice watsonia never needs staking and can seed about; it will eventually form a large clump where it’s happy. Native to South Africa.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any light, moist but well-drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: Late summer to early autumn
Hardiness: Frost-hardy (to -5º)
Height: 39” (1m) Spread: 20” (50cm)