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Sand Lily Veltheimia capensis

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Description

Veltheimia capensis is a perennial bulb or geophyte, which is a perennial plant that propagates in the spring from an underground organ.  The bulb is egg-shaped and fleshy, and has a prominent basal plate.  From this plate, the fleshy roots arise.  Typically, the upper portion of the bulb is exposed.  The bulb is enclosed with layers of papery, creamy white outer scales, which are also referred to as a tunic.  

Its native habitat, it is a winter-growing bulb that has adapted to cool moist winters and hot, dry summers.  In early fall, a new rosette of leaves emerges and may include the flower head.  Foliage growth takes place in fall to early winter, flowering in mid-fall into mid-winter.  In the spring, the leaves die back and the bulb becomes dormant until the early fall when the cycle begins again.

The seed capsules will detach from the seed head and be dispersed by the wind.  The capsules will dissipate in the summer heat, with the seeds remaining.  The seeds will germinate with the arrival of somewhat cooler temperatures in the fall.  The flowers arising from the disbursed seeds will retain the color of the host plant.

Boasting both showy flowers and foliage, Sand Lily makes an excellent container plant for a bright location on your patio or as an addition to a rock garden.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Failure to keep the dormant bulbs dry during the summer months can result in fungal diseases.  

It may not bloom every year, some years displaying just its foliage.

More information on Veltheimia.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#deciduous#drought tolerant#perennial bulbs#frost tender#showy leaves#showy fruits#disease resistant#tropical perennials#rock garden#border planting#tropical#tropical bulb#container plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#deciduous#drought tolerant#perennial bulbs#frost tender#showy leaves#showy fruits#disease resistant#tropical perennials#rock garden#border planting#tropical#tropical bulb#container plant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Veltheimia
    Species:
    capensis
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Leaf Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Western South Africa
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Easy to Grow
    Wildlife Food Source
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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 Texture:
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are a large, papery, 6-sided capsule. Each capsule contains 3 winged compartments, with 1 to 2 seeds per compartment. The black seeds and hard and pear-shaped.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Pendant, pink-speckled flowers may have cream colored tips. White blooms may have red spots. The flowers are clustered in a dense head.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Attractive, wavy, gray-blue foliage that varies in color, width, length and orientation. Lengths can reach up to 12". They can be slightly or strongly channeled. The margins are wavy or curled.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The thick, purple/maroon stem is rigid and emerges from the center of the foliage. It is coated with a grayish powdery bloom.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Vertical Spaces
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Diseases
    Drought
    Insect Pests