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Tigridia pavonia Alba

Tigridia pavonia Alba
Peacock Flower, Mexican Shell Flower, Tiger Iris

3,9/5
4 reviews
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1 reviews

Package received in good condition. Planted in the spring. These flowers are very satisfying as they bloom for 3 months. Flowers that last a maximum of 2 days. Be careful of wind exposure, fragile stems.

Fabien, 17/09/2023

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

This Peacock's Eye is a bulbous corm plant that flowers for a long time in summer, with large, triangular, ivory-white corollas contrasting with the purple-tinged throat. The flowers last just one day but follow one another for two months. This frost-sensitive plant should be reserved for mild regions and protected areas.
Flower size
12 cm
Height at maturity
60 cm
Spread at maturity
30 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -4°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to June
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Flowering time July to August
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Description

The Tigridia pavonia 'Alba', better known as the Peacock Eye, is a bulbous plant with a corm, which offers a long summer flowering, with large triangular ivory-white corollas contrasting with their purple-striped throat. The flowers only last for one day, but they succeed each other for two months. The foliage, composed of large sword-shaped leaves, spreads out like a fan. This less hardy plant is best suited for milder climates when planted in the ground, and for pot cultivation in regions with cold and humid winters. It requires full light and a light, rather moist, but well-drained soil.

The Tigridia pavonia Alba is native to Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru. This cormous plant is a relative of the garden iris, both belonging to the Iridaceae family. In spring, it forms a clump of dark green, sword-shaped, veined and pleated leaves, measuring 20 to 50 cm (8 to 20in) long, grouped in a basal fan. Once established, it grows rapidly. The flowering takes place in summer, over several weeks in July-August. Floral stems, sometimes branched, emerge at a height of 60 cm (24in), bearing one to three leaves and 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) diameter flowers that only live for one day, but succeed each other. The fascinating and intriguing flowers are composed of three large ivory-white triangular petals, and three other, tiny, strangely spotted ones, just like the heart, in pink-purple. The corms of this plant are edible. They produce bulblets that bloom in two years.

In very protected borders, where frosts remain mild, it is possible to leave the bulbs in the ground during the resting period in winter. Elsewhere, Tigridia are ideal plants for growing in large pots that will be brought indoors in winter.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 60 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour two-tone
Flowering time July to August
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 12 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Tigridia

Species

pavonia

Cultivar

Alba

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

Peacock Flower, Mexican Shell Flower, Tiger Iris

Origin

Central America

Product reference41781

Planting and care

Although originating from subtropical regions, Tigridia pavonia can tolerate light frosts. Plant the bulbs in April, about ten centimetres deep, in a rich and light substrate. A mixture of ordinary soil, leaf compost, and coarse sand will work well. Bring the bulbs indoors before the frosts and let them dry in a heated room in colder regions. Keep them during the winter in sand or turf boxes, completely dry. You can replant the bulbs and bulblets that adhere to them in the spring. Tigridias require a very bright exposure to flower well. Water once or twice a week throughout the growing season, even though these plants can tolerate short periods of drought, which, in any case, will harm their flowering.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to June

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -4°C (USDA zone 9b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Experienced
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, rich and well-drained

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Needs protection
3,9/5
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