Albuca shawii

Albuca shawii is an interesting South African bulb for mild coastal gardens where it can be grown in the ground, in wild or informal scenes. It produces flowering stems in summer adorned with numerous flowers resembling tiny trailing daffodils, with a very bright yellow colour, striped with green, and a scent of almond. In colder regions, it must be grown in a greenhouse or conservatory. A few bulbs in a planter will make a lovely pot for the summer.

Albuca shawii is a plant of the asparagus family. This botanical species is widely distributed in the Drakensberg and Highveld regions, in Natal, and in the eastern part of the Cape, where it grows up to 2400m altitude in rocky areas and mountain meadows. It is dormant in winter, its vegetation emerges in spring and dries up after flowering. It has a bushy and upright habit. The leaves of this plant are linear, fleshy, covered with short and sticky hairs, and very vibrant green. It has aromatic foliage that releases a slight liquorice or anise aroma when touched or crushed. Flowering occurs from late June to early August, although it may be slightly delayed outside the Mediterranean region. From the foliage, flowering stems 30 to 60 cm tall emerge, which elongate as the flowers open. Each stem bears numerous 1.5 cm diameter flowers on a short peduncle. Seeds are produced, but the plant does not become invasive.

We recommend growing Albuca shawii like gladiolus: in the ground with watering in summer, but kept dry in winter. It thrives in partial shade or full sun in sandy or rocky, well-drained soils. Its hardiness does not exceed -5°C at the lowest, in soil which is dry in winter. This small bulb pairs well with small Pentecost carnations (Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Kahori'), Sisyrinchium, and Thyme.