Montbretia Tritonia

is a small bulbous flowering plants in the Iridaceae (iris) family native to South 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 the front of a border, mass planting along a walkway or slope, or a cutting garden.  The flowers attract bees, and their fragrance is strongest in the evening making it a good choice for a pollinator or nighttime garden.  The best method of propagation is from the division of the offsets, which are numerous, though it can be grown from seed.

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.