Type of Flower
Sparaxis:
Sparaxis (Harlequin Flower) is a genus inwards the solid unit of measurement Iridaceae amongst virtually thirteen species endemic to Cape Province, South Africa.
All are perennials that grow during the moisture wintertime season, blossom inwards saltation together with hold upwardly hush-hush every bit dormant corms over summer. Their conspicuous flowers convey vi tepals, which inwards most species are equal inwards size together with shape.
Sparaxis bulbifera is the commonest inwards cultivation, amongst flowers from cream to xanthous or purple. S. grandiflora is a like but larger plant. Sparaxis tricolor has brilliant carmine flowers amongst xanthous together with dark centres. Many named hybrid cultivars were bred from S. elegant,S. bulbifera together with S. tricolor.
A grouping of species amongst asymmetrical flowers marked inwards mauve together with yellow, including Sparaxis variegata together with Sparaxis villosa, was formerly treated every bit the genus Synnotia.
They are slow to grow inwards Mediterranean climates. They convey been inwards tillage for a pose out of years together with at that topographic point are many colorful hybrids grown every bit well. The genus Synnotia is directly included inwards this genus. Sparaxis tin larn virused. Plants may maintain to bloom, but at that topographic point tin live a color interruption inwards the petals.
Sparaxis (Harlequin) flowers are early on summertime bloomers that perk upwardly walkways together with patios. Individual blooms attain non concluding long, but flowers on the slender stems opened upwardly successively from the bottom up, producing a long-lasting display that volition expect fifty-fifty to a greater extent than nail when planted unopen together inwards large groups. Harlequin flowers grow an average meridian of virtually 10 inches high. Use them every bit an accent inwards mixed beds together with borders, stone gardens together with containers. Harlequin flowers too brand splendid cutting flowers. During the growing season, the soil should live kept continually moist, peculiarly subsequently planting. Corms should live planted inwards the saltation virtually ii inches deep. Harlequin flowers prefer total Sun inwards humus-rich sandy soil, but a semi-shaded site volition too attain splendid results. Harlequin flowers volition too thrive good inwards relatively miserable soil.
Little Sparaxis constitute attention is necessary amongst these flowers. In moisture summertime gardens, the corms are best lifted together with stored but inwards well-drained areas, they tin live left inwards the ground. Some species of the genus are non mutual coldness hardy. So if you lot alive inwards colder regions, dig upwardly the corms together with shop them earlier the showtime frost.
The corms multiply speedily if good watered throughout the growing season. Seeds tin live sown inwards spill together with volition blossom the mo saltation or the offsets tin live divided during dormancy together with replanted.
References:
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Sparaxis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparaxis
http://www.plantingflowerbulbs.com/harlequin-flowers.htm