Tiger Flowers
Tiger flower is a sub-tropical bulb that is hardy in zones seven through ten. It is an excellent choice for pollinator gardens. These flowers are good sources of nectar and also bring some pollen as well.
These plants are also called peacock flower and jockey’s cap lily.
There are reportedly over thirty species of tiger flowers in South and Central America. Some species are native to Mexico, Guatemala, or Chile.
Tiger flower plants pretty much resemble irises. The leaves are sword-shaped and narrow. The foliage is rather stiff and one to 1 ½ inches in length. The leaves are mostly basal. These plants also feature spathes that resemble the leaves.
The plants are named for the distinct extremely showy, spotted blossoms that only last for a single day. However, this bulb continues to bloom for weeks at a time throughout the summer, particularly in July and August. .
The shape of tiger flowers can vary somewhat, depending on the species. Often, they are cup-like to triangular. These flowers are three to six inches wide.
The blooms feature three petals that can vary somewhat in color, depending on the species and variety. These petals can be white, yellow, purple, pink, orange, or red. Often, these tend to be red with showy purple spots along with colorful yellow centers.
In addition to the spots, these blooms can also feature prominent blotches as well as colorful stripes. Tiger flowers appear on tall stems that are 1 ½ to two feet in height.
Growing Tiger Flowers
In cold areas, tiger flower can be grown in greenhouses. This can also be grown in cool climates as a summer bulb. At the end of the growing season, the bulbs will need dug and stored in a frost free place over the winter. In warm areas they can be planted almost any time where they are hardy and are treated as perennials
For the most part, tiger flowers are grown much like gladiolus. They are planted in the spring in cold areas once the danger of frost has past. These bulbs prefer full sun. They do best in a well drained soil.
Tiger flower bulbs should be planted three to four inches deep. These plants can be grown from seed, which should be planted in the spring.
These plants are also called peacock flower and jockey’s cap lily.
There are reportedly over thirty species of tiger flowers in South and Central America. Some species are native to Mexico, Guatemala, or Chile.
Tiger flower plants pretty much resemble irises. The leaves are sword-shaped and narrow. The foliage is rather stiff and one to 1 ½ inches in length. The leaves are mostly basal. These plants also feature spathes that resemble the leaves.
The plants are named for the distinct extremely showy, spotted blossoms that only last for a single day. However, this bulb continues to bloom for weeks at a time throughout the summer, particularly in July and August. .
The shape of tiger flowers can vary somewhat, depending on the species. Often, they are cup-like to triangular. These flowers are three to six inches wide.
The blooms feature three petals that can vary somewhat in color, depending on the species and variety. These petals can be white, yellow, purple, pink, orange, or red. Often, these tend to be red with showy purple spots along with colorful yellow centers.
In addition to the spots, these blooms can also feature prominent blotches as well as colorful stripes. Tiger flowers appear on tall stems that are 1 ½ to two feet in height.
Growing Tiger Flowers
In cold areas, tiger flower can be grown in greenhouses. This can also be grown in cool climates as a summer bulb. At the end of the growing season, the bulbs will need dug and stored in a frost free place over the winter. In warm areas they can be planted almost any time where they are hardy and are treated as perennials
For the most part, tiger flowers are grown much like gladiolus. They are planted in the spring in cold areas once the danger of frost has past. These bulbs prefer full sun. They do best in a well drained soil.
Tiger flower bulbs should be planted three to four inches deep. These plants can be grown from seed, which should be planted in the spring.
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