Ferraria crispa - Starfish Lily

Family: Iridaceae

Common Name(s): Starfish Lily

Native to: South Africa

Flowering: Spring

Watering: Keep the soil moist after planting and thereafter only through the winter and spring.

Planting Aspect: Full Sun, Part Shade

Preferred Climate:

 

Temperate, Subtropical, Grassland

Description

An interesting small perennial with remarkable, velvety textured flowers that have intricately frilled and crisped margins on their 3 long and 3 short petals. The flowers are also strongly marked and mottled in shades of brown and pale yellow and unfortunately have an unpleasant scent.

The 5cm blooms are produced in late spring to early summer on 2-3 stems per corm and are a classic “one day flower” specimen, but bud formation continues over an extended but unpredictable period. The flowers only open in fine weather. It also has the ability to extend its dormancy if weather conditions are unfavourable.

The corm is quite tough and will survive in nutrient poor soil and even along coastal regions provided it is planted deeply. It grows to around 35-45 cm in height and looks best when planted in small groups in rockeries or on embankments.

Cultivation

Ferraria require full sun and well drained but not nutrient rich soil. After choosing and preparing the growing location, the corms should be planted 10 to 15cm deep and 15 to 20cm apart. Keep the soil moist after planting and thereafter only through the winter and spring; however allow them to remain dry and warm in the summer and autumn. They may be lightly fertilised, but only in the early part of the growing cycle when they first appear. No particular pests or diseases.