[Alisdair]

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.

[Rafa]

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.

[HansA]

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...

[ezeiza]

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.

[fragman]

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

[Alisdair]

Great picture, thanks!

[ezeiza]

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.

[John J]

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