Littonia modesta. Climbing Lily, Climbing Bell.

If you are looking for a neat bulb that is different then Littonia might be for you. A native of Natal, South Africa, this is a genus of seven species closely related to Gloriosa and belongs to the Colchiaceae a division of the former large family Liliaceae.

Beautiful foliage of a fresh soft green colour adorns the green stems and the leaves are arranged alternately, opposite and whorled all on the same stem.

Unlike lilies the stems keep growing after the flowers have finished and may reach up to 1.8metres high. It climbs by tendrils attached to the end of the leaves and they will wrap around most plants or climbing frames.

Flowers are a true golden yellow colour bell shaped about 5 cm across solitary in leaf axils, the six hanging petals are pointed. Usually there are five flowers per stem and they are good for picking.

After flowering large green seed pods appear which eventually split to produce large red brown, pea sized, seeds. Sow the seed normally but be aware it can stay dormant for a few years as it has adapted to the variable South African climate. The new tubers will take 2 -3 years to flower.

It was named after Dr Litton a Professor of Botany at the University of Dublin Ireland and introduced to England in 1853.

Easily grown in normal garden conditions with drained soil for its unusual forked bulbs to grow in, but if the ground is not well drained lift and store the bulbs in winter.

In South Africa the cultivar Littonia modesta ‘Keitii’ produces large and more flowers per stem and is a stronger plant.

In New Zealand it has been crossed with Sandersonia to create a bigeneric cross XSantoina ‘Golden Lights’ which is being evaluated for  the cut flower market.

Platycodon grandiflorus Balloon Flower

A botanical lesson first. Platycodon is a monotypic genus which means there is only one species in the genus. However it can come in various forms or cultivars including white and various shades of blue flowers and occasionally double flowers. There are a few cultivars that grow to different heights including dwarf ones.

It gets its common name from the shape of the unopened flower buds that look like inflated balloons. When open the flowers measure up to 7.5cm across and have beautifully and prominently veined flowers.

It is a native of all the islands of Japan and Korea, Northern China and Eastern Siberia growing on grassy slopes in hills and mountains. It is very hardy for all New Zealand conditions.

In the garden they are very hardy but resent wet feet. The large fleshy rootstock enables it to survive in dryer conditions. One advantage is that the rootstock increases in size slowly which means it does not need high levels of maintenance like some other perennials. In the garden it can produce seeds and a few will germinate to slowly increase plant numbers.

Cultivars include

‘Snowflake’ a white semi double flower.

‘Mother of Pearl’ light pink

‘Apoyama’ deep blue

Festival of Flowers is coming soon

www.festivalofflowers.co.nz

Thinking of visiting Christchurch during the festival then please make contact with the festival office.

For my blogging friends let me know if you are coming and we can meet.

PS I am the Chair of the Festival Trust.

Plant spotting

Sandersonia aurantiaca Gold Lily of the Valley

A neat summer flowering bulb which has a slight tendency to naturalise in the garden. I would not be without it. While its common name is Gold Lily of the Valley it is nothing like the traditional Lily of the Valley of spring.

Growing from a very odd shaped bulb this is the only species of this genus. It naturally occurs in South Africa and is allied to Gloriosa and Littonia. It has been known to hybridise with these two plants and they all belong to the lily family.

It requires a loose, free soil ands a sunny sheltered spot and freedom from heavy frosts. (In Christchurch NZ we get ground frosts of -8C and there is not effect).

The stems grow vertically about 300 -450mm high each bearing up to 7 individual lantern shaped orange/yellow flowers branching out on single pendant stems from the axil of the leaf and stem. It quickly sets viable seed which grows very well.

It is commonly grown commercially fro cut flowers in NZ for both the domestic and export market.