Galtonia candicans Moonbeam - Summer Hyacinth

Galtonia candicans Moonbeam is a very beautiful double-flowered form of the Cape hyacinth, which is also distinguished by its more vigorous growth. Its flowering stem stands upright in summer, adorned with double bell-shaped flowers resembling tiny white roses. Despite its South African origins, this bulb tolerates normal winters quite well, when planted in well-drained soil and with the crown protected by mulch. Charming in sunny borders, its lightly scented flowers are also good for cutting.

The Moonbeam Cape hyacinth belongs to the hyacinth family. This cultivar is notable for its vigour and perfectly double flowers and was discovered in a garden in New Zealand in 1989. Its ancestor, Galtonia candicans, grows spontaneously in the meadows of the Natal and Lesotho provinces in South Africa. This bulb starts to grow in spring with rosettes of large, semi-erect, linear, tapered, bluish-green leaves, 50 cm (20in) to 1 m (3ft) long. The flowering is spectacular and prolonged. Flowering stems, which can reach up to 1.50 m (5ft) high in rich soil, appear from July to September. They are cylindrical and topped with a 40 cm (16in) spike of 20 to 40 pendulous, double, cream-white flowers with a waxy texture. They have a light vanilla fragrance. Each bulb can produce up to 3 flowering stems at the same time. The above-ground vegetation dries up in autumn and disappears in winter.

Galtonia Moonbeam will thrive in the garden in a very sunny location sheltered from strong winds. The bulb is especially sensitive to excess water in winter, which is why it is important to provide good drainage in regions with humid winters. If in doubt, overwinter the bulb in a dry, frost-free location or grow it in a pot. Plant this Moonbeam Cape hyacinth in a large flower or shrub bed with Agapanthus, crocosmias, and daylilies for example. These plants have the same cultural requirements and bloom at the same time.