|
Image shows the delightful looking blossoms of
Bulbine frutescens
or Bulbine caulescens
|
|
Bulbine frutescens
(Cat's Tail, Orange African Bulbine, Rankkopieva, Snake Flower, Stalked Bulbine)
|
Synonym:
Bulbine caudescens
Family: Asphodelaceae
Origin:
Native of South Africa
Light: Sun-part shade
Height: 1.5-2'
Spread: 2'
Blooms: Orange, some are yellow, 6-petaled small, star-shaped
flowers on upright raceme, continous blooms from late Spring-Fall
Foliage: Evergreen,
bluish-green smooth textured, linear, thin
Fruit: Small round capsule with black seeds inside
Soil: Well-drained, not picky about soil type, drought tolerant
when established
Water: Low
Insects/Disease: None
Propagation:
Seeds, herbaceous stem cuttings, bulb divisions
Uses: Xeriscaping, container, houseplant, bedding, rock garden
Comments:
Bulbine frutescens
or
Cat's Tail or Orange African Bulbine or Rankkopieva or Snake
Flower or
Stalked Bulbine or
Bulbine caulescens is a floriferous tender perennial with
a spreading, clumping growth habit. From late Spring to Fall,
stalked of pretty orange and yellow star-shaped blossoms appear followed
later by seed capsules.
Bulbine frutescens
flowers are akin to a cat's tail hence the common name.
Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies find the nectar-rich blossoms
irristable.
Orange African Bulbine has linear succulent foliage. It
is easily propagated from seeds, stem cuttings or bulb
divisions.
Rankkopieva
performs best well-drained soil in a sunny to part shade
location. It
is not
picky about soil types and is carefreee and fast growing.
Bulbine frutescens
tolerates drought well. Mass plant for a spectacular show
in front of perennial bed or rock garden. Snake Flower
can also be grown in your favorite container as a houseplant.
Place plant in a
well-lit area.
Bulbine frutescens
tolerates drought well and
makes dramatic
groundcovers. It self-sows freely so deadhead
spent flowers if you do
not wish to have volunteer
seedlings
next season. Pinch plants to promote more blooms.
Bulbine caulescens does not tolerate frost and is hardy to 20
degrees Fahrenheit. It is a popular
herbal plant
with the South Africans who use
it as a
traditional remedy for beautifying their skin and as a herb tea for
treating arthritis, coughs and colds.
The sap of
Stalked Bulbine has medicinal value and is very similar to
the Aloe plant which heals sunburn or cracked skin, mouth sores and also
helps keep bees and mosquitoes at bay. Bulbine caulescens makes
ideal xeriscaping plants for the dry landscape. There is also a
yellow-flowered variety of this water-wise plant growing in Jenny's
Garden.
Rankkopieva is an easy plant for a beginner.
USDA Hardiness Zones : 9-11 |
