Bourbon Watsonia Watsonia

Named after Sir William Watson, an 18th century British botanist, physician and naturalist the Watsonia is native to southern Africa.  This Iris related and gladiola-like, species is grown as a perennial in warmer climates.  Some varieties can also be grown as an annual in locations experiencing cold temperatures, where the corms can be dug up in the fall, placed in a cool and dry environment and replanted in the spring.  Placing them in a potting soil and peat mixture will help to absorb moisture during the storing period.  That will also allow you to divide the plant by removing the offsets from the corms that have formed.   

When growing as a perennial, corms should be planted in late summer into early winter.  The corms will sprout in the fall, flowers will bloom in the spring.  Remove the flower stalks after blooming has finished but leave the leaves to encourage strengthening the corm for the next growth cycle.

Mature clumps should be divided every few years.  When left to become overcrowded, flowering can be reduced.  

While a Watsonia's bloom can be in a variety of colors, the most common are coral, orange and light pink.  Its clumps grow best in full sun with well composted soil.  Consistent summer watering helps to increase the growth rate and cold hardiness.  Large clumps are more cold resistant.  Each clump can provide several dozen spikes of blooms, each spike with up to 25 flowers. 

This excellent cut flower prefers growing in well-drained soil.  Locations where the soil does not drain properly can lead to the corms rotting.  Bugle Lily has a diameter of 12 inches with a covered depth of 3 inches with a corm being able to be stored dry at 35-41 degrees Fahrenheit.  Its hardiness is found in Tender III - and is injured below 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Although not causing damage to the plant, Aphids are known to inhabit this plant. 

Due to its height, it may need to be staked for support. 

It can spread to a point of being considered invasive. 

In some cases, handling the plant can cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.