{"id":14795,"date":"2022-09-08T12:13:59","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T10:13:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/?p=91571"},"modified":"2022-09-08T12:21:19","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T10:21:19","slug":"hesperantha-how-to-grow-and-when-to-plant-hesperantha","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/hesperantha-how-to-grow-and-when-to-plant-hesperantha\/","title":{"rendered":"Hesperantha: how to grow and when to plant hesperantha"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By John Grimshaw\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 08 September 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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More than 30 years ago I was high in the alpine zone of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, when I came across a tiny, pink-flowered bulb<\/a>, standing just a few centimetres above the dry soil. It was Hesperantha petitiana<\/em>, the northernmost representative of a genus of more than 80 species, the majority of which are endemic to the winter-rainfall areas of southern Africa\u2019s Western Cape, where the commoner species can sometimes be found in enormous numbers.<\/p>\n

Often inconspicuous during the day, hesperanthas open in the afternoon or evening \u2013 a habit that suggested their name, which means \u2018evening flower.\u2019 Although the Western Cape species have been cultivated on and off for the past 200 years, they are very seldom seen outside specialist collections, a shame as many are beauties, including the yellow and chocolate Hesperantha<\/em> vaginata<\/em>, the pink Hesperantha<\/em> pauciflora<\/em> and Hesperantha<\/em> cucullata<\/em> with pink-backed flowers that open white in late afternoon. A few tens of thousands of them shimmering among the annuals and other little bulbs in southern Africa\u2019s Namaqualand is a wonderful sight.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

For the majority of gardeners, however, Hesperantha<\/em> means just one species, the large and splendid Hesperantha<\/em> coccinea<\/em>, which is something of an anomaly in the genus and indeed was long-placed as the single species of the genus Schizostylis<\/em>. It comes from another centre of diversity in the genus, the Drakensberg range of eastern South Africa, where about 14 species occur. Most are summer-flowering, opening their pink flowers in the daytime; of this group only Hesperantha baurii<\/em> and Hesperantha huttonii<\/em> are in cultivation. Like the Western Cape species they grow from corms, renewed each year, with the plants undergoing seasonal dormancy in the cold, dry winter. In the wild, their habitats are usually damp in summer, and this is preferred in cultivation.<\/p>\n

How to grow Hesperantha <\/em><\/h2>\n

When to plant hesperantha<\/h3>\n

Best grown from seed<\/a> sown in late summer. Supplemental lighting is beneficial in dull weather.\u00a0 In their wild habitat, they mostly flower from August to September. In the wild, where its range stretches throughout the mountains of eastern South Africa into Zimbabwe, Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> seems almost invariably to grow alongside streams, often threading its stolons through cushions of wet moss. Fortunately, the requirement for running water<\/a> doesn\u2019t extend to gardens, where Hesperantha<\/em> coccinea<\/em> will grow in any reasonable soil, almost anywhere in the UK and Ireland. Its great value is its predominantly autumn-flowering<\/a> period, producing spikes of beautiful satiny flowers over a long season from August into winter: if there is no frost they may go on into December and even January.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Bob Gibbons\/Alamy <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

Where to grow hesperantha<\/h3>\n

Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> is best grown in rich, moist conditions in full sun. It can survive in even quite dry places<\/a> but will not perform well. The eventual height of most cultivars will vary depending on the growing conditions. Give these plants a sunny, well-drained position on a rock garden. Standing only 15-30cm high they should not be swamped by taller plants.<\/p>\n

Dividing hesperantha<\/h3>\n

For best results, lift, divide and replant tired clumps into enriched soil every two to three years, and mulch with good compost<\/a>. The stoloniferous habit can take plants beyond their bounds, and pieces will remain when clumps are lifted. Weed these out by hand if necessary. Tatty, overwintered foliage can be sheared or strimmed off in spring prior to mulching<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In really cold areas adding a thick mulch in late autumn will be beneficial, but in the current climate Hesperantha<\/em> coccinea<\/em> is generally hardy in the UK and Ireland and the milder parts of western Europe and western North America.<\/p>\n

The winter-growing species from the Western Cape, such as Hesperantha vaginata<\/em> and Hesperantha<\/em> pauciflora<\/em>, are more challenging. They need frost-free, cool but well-ventilated, bright conditions, in a well-drained gritty compost, kept moist in winter but dry in summer.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Tony Baggett\/Alamy<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

What to combine with hesperantha<\/h3>\n

Hesperanthas work well in the garden when combined with other plants. Weave Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> among early flowering plants to provide late-season interest, perhaps over a clump of daffodils<\/a> or around an iris<\/a> in wetter places. In my dry garden<\/a> it\u2019s not very happy, but a patch of the rich-red (neither scarlet nor crimson is probably the best description) Hesperantha<\/em> coccinea<\/em> \u2018Major\u2019 often manages a few stems to complement the late-flowering, soft yellow Crocosmia<\/em> \u2018Ellenbank Canary\u2019 and blue-mauve Symphyotrichum<\/em> \u2018Little Carlow\u2019<\/a> behind. White or pale-pink cultivars can look good with the darker colchicums<\/a>, and the foliage of each can fight it out in spring.<\/p>\n

A well-nourished row of Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> in a cutting garden will provide a long season of flowers into late autumn or early winter; robust corms could be planted in a large pot for late-season conservatory decoration.\u00a0 Remove seedheads if not frosted to avoid seedlings getting in among named selections.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha pests and diseases<\/h3>\n

Pests and diseases are unusual in hesperanthas, but virus can cause streaking in the flowers.<\/p>\n

The best hesperantha to grow<\/h2>\n

Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> \u2018Major\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

The best red-flowered<\/a> cultivar \u2013 perhaps the best of all \u2013 but there is some variation in its stocks. The 6cm rounded flowers of rich, almost coppery red, have a beautiful sheen that catches the sun. 50cm x 30cm. AGM. RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> \u2018Alba\u2019<\/h3>\n
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Hesperantha coccinea \u2018Alba\u2019<\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Rachel Warne<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A number of white clones of Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> are in cultivation, varying in the size and shape of the flowers: this one has very pointed segments. Looks wonderful when planted in large drifts in the garden. 50cm x 40cm. RHS H4,\nUSDA 7a-9b.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> \u2018Cindy Towe\u2019<\/h3>\n

A deep-red cultivar with pointed segments, starting to flower in July or August. It was selected from a seedling in the garden of June Towe in Herefordshire, and named after her dog. 60cm x 45cm. RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> \u2018Rosea\u2019<\/h3>\n

Pink-flowered forms of Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> are common in South Africa, but are often quite pallid. This cultivar, however, is more richly coloured, and is said to be free-flowering. 50cm x 30cm. RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> \u2018Jennifer\u2019<\/h3>\n

An extremely large-flowered cultivar; its flowers are up to 6cm across, with rounded segments in pale pink, paler at the centre of the flower. It is vigorous and needs regular division. 50cm x 30cm. AGM. RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha huttonii <\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Tony Baggett\/Alamy<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

A hardy summer-flowering species that is generally found growing on cliffs and in forest clearings and alongside rivers in the Eastern Cape mountains. Useful for a rock garden or the front of a border, where it may gently self-seed. 15-30cm x 15cm.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha vaginata<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Paul Starosa\/Getty Images<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

Its striking colour attracts pollinating beetles, mimicking other similarly patterned flowers native to Namaqualand. It is a winter-growing species, flowering in the southern African spring, and challenging in cultivation. 20cm x 3cm.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> \u2018Oregon Sunset\u2019<\/h3>\n

A particularly tall clone, with rich-pink flowers, selected by the Oregon nursery Gossler Farms;\u00a0 Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> is happy on the west coast of North America. 60-80cm x 35cm. RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> \u2018Pink Princess\u2019<\/h3>\n

The pinkness of this cultivar is best seen in bud as it opens to almost white. The yellow-green ovary in the centre of the flower is quite conspicuous. 60cm x 30cm. AGM. RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> \u2018Mollie Gould\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Joan Gravell\/Alamy<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

A cultivar that is noted both for its long-flowering season and its greater than average height. The pink flowers have a darker central streak. 50cm x 35cm. RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha coccinea<\/em> \u2018Sunrise\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

Free-flowering and rather late, often still blooming at Christmas, this has large, rich-pink flowers standing up well above the foliage. 50-60cm x 30cm. AGM. RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha cucullata <\/em><\/h3>\n

Endemic across the Cape Provinces, this species occurs in large numbers in Namaqualand. In late afternoon its pink buds open to white flowers, with the intermediate stage being exceptionally pretty. 30cm x 60cm. USDA 9a-10.<\/p>\n

Hesperantha bachmannii<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Bob Gibbons\/Alamy <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

Found in the Western Cape Province, including Namaqualand. Its fragrant flowers hang downwards with reflexed segments, giving a very unusual look for this genus. Like all the winter-rainfall species it can be challenging to grow. 25cm x 2cm.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Where to buy and see hesperantha<\/h2>\n