The MGS Forum

Plants for mediterranean gardens => Bulbs (including other geophytes with corms, tubers, rhizomes etc) => Topic started by: Alisdair on August 03, 2011, 07:29:34 AM

Title: Ferraria
Post by: Alisdair on August 03, 2011, 07:29:34 AM

These little iris-relatives from winter-rain summer-dormant parts of South Africa grow well in rather dry mediterranean conditions. The flowers are quite small, and tend not to be brightly coloured, but their intricate detail makes them well worth a close-up look. This one is Ferraria kamiesbergensis:
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For Pamela's picture of another Ferraria species, click here (http://www.mgsforum.org/smf/index.php?topic=165.msg525#msg525).

Title: Re: Ferraria
Post by: Rafa on September 06, 2011, 03:27:54 PM

Very nice species Alisdair, I also grow this species but I've not seen it in bloom  yet. I love this genus, and I am trying to get all the species.
This other one blooms almost every year, it's a plant collected by Mike Salmon.

Title: Re: Ferraria
Post by: HansA on September 12, 2011, 01:52:46 PM

Thanks for the pictures Alisdair and Rafa!
Fascinating plants, plants I did not grow so far,  but luckily I have been given bulbs of this genus from a very generous friend - now I have doubts if they accept a chalky soil... ::)

Title: Re: Ferraria
Post by: ezeiza on September 12, 2011, 02:29:05 PM

Yes, Hans, it will. More important, they need a deep gritty sandy mix. Corms grow in a "rosary" one on top of the other (better not to separte them) and go deeper every year. Thrive under frost free conditions in full sun and have a true Mediterranean cycle.

Title: Re: Ferraria
Post by: fragman on September 26, 2011, 06:33:50 AM

This is Ferraria crispa at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens. Its amazing that it is such a weed in western Australia.

Title: Re: Ferraria
Post by: Alisdair on September 26, 2011, 07:45:24 AM

Great picture, thanks! :)

Title: Re: Ferraria
Post by: ezeiza on September 26, 2011, 01:49:23 PM

Of course it is not possible under all circumstances, but if one waits until the first flowers open and then pull out the aerial plant the demolishing effect this produces will be enough to give a good deal of control.

Title: Re: Ferraria
Post by: John J on April 16, 2019, 06:34:00 AM

Our Ferraria crispa has flowered. We acquired it from our friend Fleur in Greece.