Veltheimia bracteata - 5 Seed Pack - Indigenous Endemic Perennial Bulb - Combined Shipping

Veltheimia bracteata Seeds

Forest Lily, Forest Sand-lily, Winter Red Hot Poker; Sandui, 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 commonly known as forest lily can be found growing wild in the forests and coastal scrub of the Eastern Cape. Veltheimia bracteata is winter-growing, the leaves dying back in summer, and the new leaves appearing in late-summer to autumn, after a short period of dormancy. In frost-free regions that have rainfall throughout the year, Veltheimia bracteata is almost evergreen. The flowers are bird pollinated, and will thus attract birds to the garden. Veltheimia bracteata is a beautiful bulb, with a moderate to fast growth rate. The inflorescence is a dense raceme of tubular flowers carried on a long stalk, reaching a height of up to 60 cm. The forest lily flowers during late winter to spring and each flower-head lasts about a month. The handsome glossy green, fleshy leaves are broadly strap-shaped with crisped or wavy margins and form an approximately 250 mm high by 350 mm wide rosette at the base of the flower stem. This plant makes an excellent pot plant for a shady patio, conservatory or a window sill and is suitable for indoor cultivation in bright light but not in direct sun. It is a valuable addition to the shade garden, planted in clumps or en masse under trees, and grows well in conjunction with Clivia species, Asparagus species, Plectranthus species, Streptocarpus species, Scadoxus species, many Crassula species and many ferns.