Tritonia
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- try-TOH-nee-uh
- Description
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Tritonia is a small bulbous flowering plants in the iris family native to S. Africa. It is often grown as an annual. Its native habitat includes dry clay flats and slopes.
They have strap-like leaves with flowers in shades of yellow, orange, pink or white and give off a pleasant fragrance, especially at night. There are several plants within the genus. Most bloom in spring to summer but others bloom late summer into fall. Flowers are showy and profuse.
General care includes planting in soil enriched with humus in full sun to a depth of 2 inches and 3 inches apart. They prefer moist soil during the growing season and drier when dormant. They can be lifted in the winter to prevent rotting in heavy wet winter soils.
When growing outdoors from seed in warmer locations, plant your seeds in the fall. For milder areas, early spring is best. Germination can take from one to three months, and may require up to three years before flowering. In locations that experience cold winter temperatures, growing from corms is best. They can be dug up after the foliage has yellowed, as that is when the bulb has finished storing the next seasons energy.
Use for naturalizing, in a border or a cutting garden. The best method of propagation is from division of the offsets, which are numerous.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Cannot grow in shade. Aphids may damage the developing flower buds. As new growth begins to shoot, snails and slugs may be an issue.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- T. crocata
- T. crocata
- T. crocata
- Tags:
















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- T. crocata
- T. crocata
- T. crocata
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tritonia
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Africa
- Wildlife Value:
- It is pollinated by bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Fragrance
- Bulb Storage:
- Store corms in peat at 35-41°F (2-5°C)
- Edibility:
- The flowers are used as a saffron substitute in flavoring food and a yellow coloring.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Bulb
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a, 11b, 11a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors occurring in clusters
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Flat, strap-like, grassy green leaves up to 12" long.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Long, sparsely branched stem with few leaves.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil