Quick Guide: summer, half-hardy, full sun, height: 45-60cm/18-24in, width: 10cm/4in

Freesias are members of the iris family native to South Africa. The hybrid Freesia x kewensis is commercially cultivated in greenhouse conditions for its colourful, scented blooms on slender stems. Specially treated corms are available which will flower outdoors in mid-summer, but only for one season. In favoured areas ordinary, untreated corms can be used and will flower for several years.

GROWING Plant prepared corms in spring, 7.5cm/3in deep in well-drained, moderately fertile soil on a sheltered site. Even then, twiggy sticks will probably be necessary for support. Lift the corms when the foliage dies down. In warm areas, plant ordinary corms in late summer and leave in the ground after flowering.

PROPAGATION Offsets removed when lifting the corms can be brought to flower in cool greenhouse conditions in subsequent years.

VARIETIES `Margret', purplish-pink veined purple; `Klondyke', yellow shading to gold; `Snow Queen', cream with yellow throat; `Stockholm', red with yellow throat.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Aphids and caterpillars damage leaves and young shoots.