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Hesperantha

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Schizostylis
Phonetic Spelling
hes-per-ANTH-uh
Description

Hesperantha is a genus of 91 perennial, cormous, flowering plants native to Africa in the Iridaceae (iris) family. Most members of this genus grow from semi-evergreen corms.  The name is derived from the Greek word hesperos, which means "evening", and anthos, meaning "flower" as it blooms at night.

Clumps of erect stems with grassy leaves and showy blooms that resemble lilies appear in late summer through winter.  They are flowering when little else is going on in the landscape providing much needed late season color. The flowers are radially symmetrical and divide at the mouth of the flower tube into three branches that spread over the tepals. Most plants are short, 7 inches tall or less. A number of them open late in the afternoon or early evening and those are often very fragrant.

These plants needs full sun to partial shade and well-drained but moisture-retentive soil. They do not tolerate dry soil. Plant at a depth of 2 inches and add a layer of organic mulch each summer.  It is classified as Tender III - injured below 25 degrees F so it does best in a sheltered location in the landscape.  Propagate the plants through seed or division in the fall.  Rhizomes are challenging to store over winter.  If stored, place rhizomes in moist peat at 45 degrees F.

The flowers make an excellent addition to a cutting or cottage garden, or mass plant them along a walkway or patio to enjoy their late season blooms.  They also work well planted in containers or any other small space.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Hesperantha coccinea, Mrs. Hagity
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#corms#winter interest#rhizomes#cutting garden#clumping#flowers late summer#walkway planting#winter flowers#flowers early fall#flowers early winter#flowers late fall#flowers mid-fall#dry soils intolerant#container plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Hesperantha coccinea, Mrs. Hagity
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#corms#winter interest#rhizomes#cutting garden#clumping#flowers late summer#walkway planting#winter flowers#flowers early fall#flowers early winter#flowers late fall#flowers mid-fall#dry soils intolerant#container plant#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hesperantha
    Family:
    Iridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Cameroon, Ethiopia to South Africa
    Distribution:
    Introduced to western and southern Australia
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Six petaled star shaped flowers in various colors held in clusters above the leaves.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Long narrow bladelike leaves die back in winter and appear in early spring.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stiff erect stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting