Description
Hessea are rare South African bulbs known as umbrella lilies because they produce showy umbels of beautiful starry flowers that look like umbrellas. Each bulb produces two narrow, erect to spreading, strap-shaped leaves. H. mathewsii is a small species that is endangered in the wild. It produces ethereal umbrellas of white flowers with dark pink to red centres that number 10-30 per inflorescence in autumn after summer dormancy when they should be kept dry. Shiny green leaves emerge after flowering and persist through winter into spring. Easy to grow and bloom in sandy, gritty soil mixes. Collect and plant the seeds to build a colony. Check out pictures from the website of the Pacific Bulb Society to get a better sense for the beauty of this bulb. Our nursery-grown bulbs are adult blooming size as of 2022.
