COMMON NAME Orange Bulbine |
BOTANICAL NAME Bulbine frutescens |
HEIGHT 2′ |
WIDTH 2′ |
EVERGREEN |
PERENNIAL |
COLD TOLERANCE Foliage 32° F; Roots 20° F |
SOIL TYPE Prefers well drained, can adapt to heavier soils. |
WATER REQUIREMENTS Water after planting in ground, and water every two days for 2 weeks. Week 3 and week 4, water deeply twice a week. From week 5 forward water occasionally. Best results with regular irrigation. Supplement with water during droughts and the hot, dry months to keep your plant lush and thriving. Reduce watering in the Winter when growth slows. |
DROUGHT TOLERANCE High |
SALT TOLERANCE Medium |
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS Full sun |
FERTILIZING Sparingly use a general purpose 10-10-10 once every month or 2 months from Spring to Summer for faster growth. Alternatively, use a slow-release fertilizer 3 times a year. Halt fertilizing from the Fall to Winter, then begin again in the Spring. Do not allow fertilizer to clump, be sure to disperse evenly. Clumped fertilizer can potentially burn roots, potentially harming or killing a plant. Avoid getting fertilizer on the leaves, flowers, and stems. |
FLOWER Orange or yellow |
MONTH OF COLOR Spring to Fall |
FRUIT Small, rounded capsule. Contains many black seeds. Inedible. |
ALLERGENS, TOXICITY AND ANIMALS Toxicity unknown. |
COMMENTS Slow growing succulent ground cover. This slender plant with onion-like leaves and spikes of orange flowers that rise 2′ above plant. Good for borders, rock gardens, or pots. Very drought hardy. Cut depleted flower stalks 1″ to 2″ above the ground to promote flowering and keep the plant thriving. The leaves can be used in a soothing, medicinal way topically as with Aloe Vera. Attracts bird, bees, and other pollinators. In locations susceptible to cold damage, cover with a frost cloth and secure firmly to protect the day before a freeze. Remove promptly once the freeze has subsided. Regulate soil temperature and better protect the roots by mulching (with mulch, leaves, hay, etc.) no less than 3″ thick and 1′ radius around the base of the trunk above where the roots grow. Xeriscaping compatible. Native to South Africa. |
PRICE 1 gallon $4 |