How to Grow Tritonia Plants
Guide to Growing Flame Freesia, Montbretia, and Blazing Star
Members of the Tritonia genus are hardy bulbs that are sometimes treated as annuals by gardeners.
They range from 15 to 60 cm (6 to 24 inches)in height.
Tritonia blooms in the middle of summer, when they carry red, orange, yellow, pink or white funnel shaped flowers.
The foliage is sword shaped and flat.
Some common names for members of Tritonia are Blazing Star, Flame Freesia, and Montbretia.
Tritonia lineata by Tony Rodd; Creative Commons.
Tritonia crocata by Eric in SF; Creative Commons.
Tritonia Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Flame Freesia, Lined Tritonia, Blazing Star, Montbretia.
Life Cycle: Bulb commonly grown as an annual by gardeners.
Height: 4 to 24 inches (10 to 60 cm).
Native: Southern Africa.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 10. As a perennial in zones 7 to 10.
Flowers: Spring and/or summer.
Flower Details: White, cream, yellow, brown, red, orange, pink. Funnel-shaped. Bowl-shaped. Fragrant.
Foliage: Fan-shaped. Sword-shaped.
Seed: cover seed. Autumn in warm areas; early spring in mild/cooler areas. Best grown from corms in cold areas.
Corm: 4 inches (10 cm). Autumn in warm areas. Spring in other areas.
Sow Inside: Germination time: one to two months. Temperature 55°F (13°C). Seven or eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors a few weeks after the last frost or in autumn in warmer areas.
Requirements: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Rich soil. Sandy soil. Organic soils. Mix in cow manure. One feed. Regular watering in the growing season. Winter mulch. Bring bulbs indoors for the winter in cooler areas. Propagate: offsets in autumn in warm areas or a few weeks after the last frost in other areas.
Family: Iridaceae.
Miscellaneous: The name for the genus comes from the latin for the phrase “Weather vane”.
How to Grow Blazing Star, Flame Freesia, and other Tritonia Plants in the Garden
Blazing Star and other Tritonia species can be grown from seeds or corms.
The Corms should be buried in the autumn at about 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inches) deep with a spacing of 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches).
Tritonia Seeds should be sown in spring and lightly covered. Ideally it is best to grow Blazing star in a sunny part of the garden. This requires good drainage and a sandy soil that has had manure added to it.
It should take about three years for Blazing stars that have been sown from seeds to flower.
If you want to start Blazing star off indoors then do so about two months in advance.
They can be transplanted outdoors just after the last frost of spring.
Germination of Blazing stars and other Tritonia takes from one to three months at a temperature of 12 to 15 degrees centigrade (54 to 59°F).
Caring for Tritonia Plants
It takes a little (not much) effort to look after Tritonia plants such as Blazing star, Flame Freesia and Montbretia.
Provide them a good mulch in the winter to protect them from the elements. They should be fed once during the growing season and watered regularly.
Once they have flowered they do not require watering. If you require more Tritonia plants then plant the offsets that they readily produce.
Common Questions
How many members does the Tritonia genus have?
The Tritonia genus contains about 30 species.
Do members of Tritonia make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Tritonia species are appreciated for their colorful, iris-like flowers. They're ideal for rock gardens, borders, and containers.
Which Tritonia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
The most commonly grown species is Tritonia crocata, also known as Flame Freesia.
Are members of the Tritonia plant genus fragrant?
While not typically known for fragrance, Tritonia species are admired for their vibrant, iris-like flowers.
What is the perfect location to grow Tritonia?
Tritonia thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It's a great choice for rock gardens, borders, or containers.
Is Tritonia invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Presently, Tritonia is not known to be invasive in the USA. Always refer to local guidelines for the most accurate information.
How do I remove Tritonia plants from my garden?
To remove Tritonia, uproot the entire plant, ensuring all roots are removed to prevent regrowth.
Summary
Tritonia is a genus in the Iris family, Iridaceae. It comprises approximately 28 species of perennial herbaceous flowering plants native to South Africa.
For successful growth, Tritonia plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are typically grown from corms, which should be planted in the spring. The plants are known for their beautiful, gladiolus-like flowers.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Tritonia plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Lapeirousia and Acidanthera plants.
Find the insights on this site valuable? Then you're going to love my book: 'The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide'.
Upon purchase, receive the eBook in PDF, MOBI (for Kindle), and ePub (most e-readers and iPad) formats. Also available from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, and iBooks.
Genus Index T
