Species forest lily

forest lily

Veltheimia bracteata

Forest lily (veltheimia bracteata) is a striking South African bulbous perennial with beautiful, recurved leaves and a dazzling display of bright pink flowers. The foliage is a deep green, with large, intricately folded leaves. The showy flowers, from late-autumn to spring, are arranged in a conical shape and come in shades of deep pink and mauve. This hardy plant is easy to propagate from seed or as offsets. It does best in full sun and requires moist, well drained soil to stay healthy. Forest lily is an excellent addition to gardens, and will attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Offsets

Hardiness Zone:

9 - 11

Flowers:

Pink Flowers

Sun:

Part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Forest lilies prefer consistent moisture, but they should not be left to stand in water. They can be grown in sandy soil or well-draining potting mix and should be watered at least once a week. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. During especially hot summers, water more often, about every other day, or use a water-soluble fertilizer to give the plants an extra boost. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause the leaves to wilt and the flower buds to drop.

sunlight

Forest lilies should be grown in an area with bright indirect sunlight. During the summer months, if possible, give it 4-6 hours of bright sunlight a day, preferably in the morning or late afternoon. During the winter, when the days are shorter, forest lilies can tolerate somewhat lower light levels but should still receive at least a few hours of bright indirect sunlight each day.

pruning

The Forest Lily is a low shrub-like evergreen native to South Africa. Pruning is important for this particular plant species to keep the plant healthy and provide it with the required shape. It should be pruned in spring or summer, depending on whether the variety is deciduous or evergreen. For deciduous varieties, prune after the tree sheds its foliage back to its original shape while evergreen varieties should be pruned in early to mid-summer. When pruning, always use clean and sharp pruning shears, making sure to clip away any dead or overgrown branches. Also, make sure to remove any crossing branches or branches that are growing uncontrolled. Pruning should be kept to a light trim if possible, as this will help to ensure the health and beauty of the Forest Lily.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

The forest lily typically starts flowering in late winter or early spring, usually between late February and early April.

Hardiness Map