5 Veltheimia capensis Seeds - Indigenous Endemic Perennial Bulb - Combined Global Shipping

Veltheimia capensis Seeds

Quarobe, Sand Lily; Kwarobe, Sandlelie

Veltheimia is a South African endemic genus of two perennial species in the Hyacinthaceae family. It is named in honor of a German patron of botany, August Ferdinand Graf von Veltheim. There are only two species in this genus, Veltheimia bracteata and Veltheimia capensis, the sandlelie. Veltheimia bracteata 'Lemon Flame' is a greenish-yellow flowering form of the species. Veltheimia bracteata Lemon Flame commonly known as yellow forest lily can be found growing wild in the forests and coastal scrub of the Eastern Cape. Veltheimia capensis commonly known as Sand Lily is a deciduous bulb that begins growth in autumn by producing upright blue-grey leaves that have undulating margins. At nearly the same time emerge the reddish pink flowers that continue into early winter and produce attractive seed heads. Plant it in full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate only when leaves are present. It will not bloom in the shade, unlike Veltheimia bracteata which does. The Sand Lily is well suited to being grown in pots. This makes it easy to grow this plant in any area, regardless of frost. Veltheimia capensis is native to sandy, well-drained soils in the drier regions of the Western Cape - through the Karoo and Namaqualand. The flowers are bird pollinated, and will thus attract birds to the garden.