Schizostylis coccinea Mrs Hegarty

Schizostylis coccinea 'Mrs Hegarty' is a lovely selection of the cape lily, a vigorous rhizomatous perennial that thrives on the banks of water bodies and in damp meadows. In late summer or early autumn, this plant produces pale-pink floral spikes that somewhat resemble the stems of botanical gladioli. The foliage, in dense and spreading clumps, persists throughout winter. Apart from a relative hardiness, it is easily cultivated in sunny locations with moist soil.

Schizostylis coccinea, also known as Hesperantha coccinea, is a plant from the Iridaceae family, like gladiolus, iris, and crocosmia. It is also called scarlet gladiolus. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with rhizomatous and suckering roots originating from South Africa and Zimbabwe. Its cold hardiness does not exceed -11°C (12.2°F) for a short period. Growing rapidly, it forms slender, spreading clumps, reaching about 40cm (16in) in height and 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) in spread. The plant colonises the soil through its rhizomes. The foliage persists throughout winter in regions with minimal frost. The leaves are slightly trailing, ribbon-like, and bright green in colour. They measure 1cm (0.4in) wide and up to 40cm (16in) long. Flowering is late, usually occurring between September and November. Thin floral stems emerge from the foliage, each reaching 60cm (24in) in height and bearing 4 to 10 alternate star-shaped flowers. Each flower consists of 6 petals and measures approximately 3.5 to 4cm (1 to 2in) in diameter. In 'Mrs Hegarty', the flowers are a delicate pink colour with a pale yellow-green centre.

Plant Schizostylis coccinea 'Mrs Hegarty' on the moist banks of a pond or at the edge of a wetland bed, alongside knotweeds, lobelias, and loosestrifes, for example. This plant does not tolerate drought and requires regular watering when rainfall is scarce. It can also be grown in containers, keeping the substrate consistently moist. In this case, overwinter the pots frost-free in a bright, unheated room. The flowers are beautiful and long-lasting in bouquets.