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Kaffir Lily?
green fingered finch
Posts: 278
in Plants
I recently saw an article in the gardening section of the Telegraph about the Kaffir Lily. Never heard of it before. Looks really pretty and apparently great for Autumn colour.
However I've also heard conflicting advice as to how quickly it spreads. Some say it is slow to establish and others that it is fast and invasive. Does anyone have experience of this? Everything seems to be slow to establish in my garden!
Also how is it planted? Seed? Plant?
Any help appreciated as always.
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Schizostylus was it's posh name until recently but they've now changed it to something else which I can't recall
Put in as plants usually - mainly red/pinky/salmony shades but there's a white as well. I'm not aware of them being invasive but they're great for wet shady areas so good near ponds etc.
They are also very rabbit proof
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Now Hesperantha coccinea. If it likes your garden, as it does ours. it will spread like wild fire. We have had all the available colours over the years, but they seem to revert to red (or they self seed and the red form is more robust and kills off the others). They grow from corms by the way.
Do you think they like your stonier conditions Berghill? They don't seem to take over up here but perhaps the heavier soil keeps them from being too badly behaved! A bit like Montbretia.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I can't keep these and always put it down to the dry soil most late summers. They're lovely. I may try again
In the sticks near Peterborough
Our soil is very well drained peaty silt which may be why they enjoy it.
Your soil must be the answer right enough Berghill - they're happy in it even though it's well drained. We had some in a sunny spot in a previous garden but they never got dried out. Plenty of rain and clay at their feet.
I'll send you some of the sticky clay I've just dug up nut
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Brilliant, thanks for all the advice. Going to look for some corms and give them a go! We have a shady area at the back under some pine tress but I'm guessing it will be too dry for them... will find somewhere else I'm sure!