A truly dazzling South African bulb, Moraea aristata is one of the most striking of the genus, flaunting intricate iris-like flowers of brilliant white marked with deep violet-blue and a vivid peacock eye at the base of each petal. Each flower lasts only a day or two, but the succession of blooms in late spring to early summer makes for an unforgettable display. The foliage is sword-shaped and relatively low-growing, offering a clean backdrop to the elaborate blooms. This is quite rare in in it’s native habitat but well suited to bulb culture you can provide the basics below.
Native to the winter-rainfall regions around Cape Town, this species is adapted to a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and wet winters. In cultivation, it performs best in a sharply drained, sandy or gritty soil and full sun. It is ideally suited to a cold greenhouse or alpine house in temperate regions, where its needs for a dry summer dormancy can be reliably met. In mild coastal climates (USDA Zone 9–10), it may be grown outdoors in a sheltered, well-drained position, though care must be taken to keep the bulbs dry in summer.
In a greenhouse setting, plant the bulbs in deep pots with a lean, fast-draining soil mix, begin watering in autumn as growth starts, and stop watering entirely once the foliage begins to yellow in late spring. At illahe these have seen temps as low as 12 degrees F. and kept underneath a frost blanket for that brief period they have thrived and grown well. Store pots completely dry through summer dormancy. The bulbs multiply well and can be lifted and divided every few years to encourage vigor.
A spectacular species for collectors, Mediterranean bulb enthusiasts, and those seeking unusual spring treasures.
A truly dazzling South African bulb, Moraea aristata is one of the most striking of the genus, flaunting intricate iris-like flowers of brilliant white marked with deep violet-blue and a vivid peacock eye at the base of each petal. Each flower lasts only a day or two, but the succession of blooms in late spring to early summer makes for an unforgettable display. The foliage is sword-shaped and relatively low-growing, offering a clean backdrop to the elaborate blooms. This is quite rare in in it’s native habitat but well suited to bulb culture you can provide the basics below.
Native to the winter-rainfall regions around Cape Town, this species is adapted to a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and wet winters. In cultivation, it performs best in a sharply drained, sandy or gritty soil and full sun. It is ideally suited to a cold greenhouse or alpine house in temperate regions, where its needs for a dry summer dormancy can be reliably met. In mild coastal climates (USDA Zone 9–10), it may be grown outdoors in a sheltered, well-drained position, though care must be taken to keep the bulbs dry in summer.
In a greenhouse setting, plant the bulbs in deep pots with a lean, fast-draining soil mix, begin watering in autumn as growth starts, and stop watering entirely once the foliage begins to yellow in late spring. At illahe these have seen temps as low as 12 degrees F. and kept underneath a frost blanket for that brief period they have thrived and grown well. Store pots completely dry through summer dormancy. The bulbs multiply well and can be lifted and divided every few years to encourage vigor.
A spectacular species for collectors, Mediterranean bulb enthusiasts, and those seeking unusual spring treasures.
