Babiana

Iridaceae

Baboon Flower, Baboon Root

They have green lanceolate basal leaves and produce mauve or blue freesia-like flowers in spring. 

Uses

Cut flowers, bedding or border plants in warmer climates, container plants, or conservatory plants in cooler climates.

 

Culture

They prefer most free-draining soils in a sunny position. They are hardy in drier soils. Plants need shelter in cooler climates where they are better suited to greenhouse growing.

Propagation

Division
 

Cultivars

A number of cultivars including:

B. stricta - to 30cm high with mauve blue or pink funnel-shaped flowers with six petals produced in spring to early summer.

 

Plant Health

They are prone to few pests or diseases of note.

More info

There are around 80 species of this plant which originate from Africa, mainly South Africa.

 

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