Watsonia pillansii (Beatrice Watsonia)
Beatrice Watsonia, Bugle Lily, Pillans’ Watsonia, Summer Watsonia, Watsonia beatricis
Watsonia pillansii (Beatrice Watsonia) is a robust, cormous perennial with sword-shaped leaves and bright orange flowers. Blooming in mid-summer, eye-catching spikes of 20-35 tubular orange-red flowers, each about 2 in. long (5 cm), rise atop erect stems. A popular garden plant and a good cut flower, it is spectacular in mass displays and useful for soil retention on banks and slopes.
- Typically grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
- Thrives in light, well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer. Protect from frosts with a dry winter mulch
- Plant in beds and borders for dramatic summer blooms. Great for city gardens, coastal gardens, cottage gardens, Mediterranean gardens, gravel gardens or containers.
- Fairly pest and disease free.
- Deadhead as required.
- Propagate by seed sown at 55-65°F (13-18°C) in autumn or division in spring.
- Native to South Africa (E Cape, W Cape, KwaZulu-Natal).
Requirements
| Hardiness |
11 - 13 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
6 - 12 |
| Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Iridaceae |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid, Late) |
| Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 18" (50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Uses | Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
Recommended Companion Plants
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
11 - 13 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
6 - 12 |
| Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Iridaceae |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid, Late) |
| Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 18" (50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Uses | Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
