Freesia Double Blue

Freesia Double Blue is a lovely variety of Cape Lily of the Valley with large double flowers in a beautiful lavender-blue. Each bulb, or more precisely each corm, develops several gracefully arched stems that support a unilateral flowering, consisting of flowers in the shape of large double goblets. They emit a fragrance reminiscent of jasmine. In medium to cold climates, it is essential to plant the corms in a pot. The flowers will bloom in the sun for a good part of summer. In mild climates, it can be planted in the ground for a flowering in spring.

Freesias, also known as cape lilies, are native to East Africa, from Kenya to South Africa. They were named by Danish botanist Ecklon in honour of one of his brightest students, Dr. Freese, who was a physician, pharmacist, and botanist. These beautiful plants belong to the Iridaceae family. Their floral stems give them a spreading and highly branched habit.

Freesia Double Blue is a recent horticultural selection. It develops deciduous, tender green foliage that is upright and sword-shaped with a sharp tip. Both the leaves and the flower stems reach the same height, which is up to 50cm (20in). The inflorescence develops from May to July, at the top of a convex flower stem. This unilateral flowering consists of 8 to 10 flowers that are 4 to 6cm (2in) in diameter, in the shape of double goblets. They boast a blue colour washed with mauve. They are actinomorphic, meaning they are radially symmetrical. Each corm will produce 4 to 5 stems. The flowers have a sweet scent reminiscent of jasmine. Some may even describe it as having fragrant tones of neroli with spicy and honeyed undertones. Freesias are often referred to as bulbous plants. More precisely, it is a corm, an underground organ that stores nutrients for the plant. Unlike true bulbs, the corm exhausts all of its reserves during each seasonal cycle and is replaced each time by a new one. These corms are conical and measure about 1 to 2cm (1in) at its base. They should be planted with the apex facing upwards at a depth of 5cm (2in). This will make it easier for the new shoots to emerge. At the end of the season, once the leaves have turned yellow, the corms enter dormancy, signalling that they should be overwintered above ground and protected from frost. As long as the foliage remains green, the plant replenishes its reserves for the following year.

Freesias are frost-sensitive and cannot tolerate temperatures below -3°C (26.6°F). If you want to grow them in open ground, make sure that the last frosts have passed before planting. Plant them in a sunny location. They prefer moist, well-drained, sandy to rocky soils. They do not appreciate limestone. They can be paired with orange, yellow, or red crocosmias in rock gardens or border plantings. Whether in the ground or in a pot, they can be combined with other elegant plants, such as agapanthus, tuberose, crinum, moorea, and lycoris.

Freesias are perfect in elaborate floral arrangements. Once the first flowers have bloomed, you can prune the floral stem and keep the flowers fresh for about three weeks.