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Hesperantha coccinea

by Johan Wentzel

Hesperantha coccinea
Common Name
Scarlet river lily
Plant Type
Bulb
Hesperantha coccinea is a very striking, water- loving, bulbous plant. It occurs naturally in saturated soils on stream banks growing in full sun. It does equally well in a normally irrigated garden in full sun or light shade.
Plant Description

Hesperantha coccinea is a very striking, water- loving,  bulbous plant. It occurs naturally in saturated soils on stream banks growing in full sun. Although the flowers are normally bright red, there are also pink and white forms.

The flowers are borne in profusion in summer during the warm and wet months and the nodding flowers are borne on fairly short stalks. that cluster at the tips of slender stems from December to April. Hesperantha coccinea is a popular garden plant. It is also a good cut flower plant. The flowers are pollinated by a large butterfly (Aerpetes) and long proboscid flies.

Although Hesperantha coccinea grows naturally in wet areas it does equally well in a normally irrigated garden in full sun or light shade.

You may find stock of this plant at Random Harvest.

Afrikaanse Naam
Rooirivierlelie
Hardiness
Very hardy
Position
Sun
Water Requirements
Keep moist
Evergreen
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast
Flowering Time
Summer
Flower Colour
Red
Shape
Clump forming
Soil
Loam
Plant Size
50cm
Region
Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
Habitat
Riverine
Grown by Wildflower Nursery
Yes
  • Hesperantha coccinea
  • Hesperantha coccinea
  • Hesperantha coccinea

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Johan – 082 801 1741
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