Galtonia Candicans

Anybody have some knowledge of the above? I was visiting a pal who lives close by and she has it flowering in her garden atm. Living in Scotland and knowing Galtonia to originate from South Africa I didn't think it would be hardy here, it obviously is! Pal says she doesn't even bother to mulch yet she's had the small clump for about 4 years. Always on the look out for things which flower late in the season I am going to buy some. Pal did offer me a couple but she doesn't have very many so I thought it wrong to swipe a few of hers!
A recommendation of where to buy would be good please unless someone has loads and would like to do a swap with something of mine. I know from bitter experience some bulb companies are MUCH better than others. Thanks.

 

Mine are in bloom at the moment too. Later than usual funnily enough.
As always, drainage is the key. Well drained and they should be hardy.
I do have plenty of seed - they're very easy!

 

See what you mean about yours being late Longk. The ones I saw today are just down the road from where I live (Eastern Scotland) and they are further out than yours in Oxfordshire! bonkers. Yours too are going to be lovely tho in a few days time.

 

Hardy here and we are pretty cold. Just started flowering. They self seed all over the place if allowed to. Got one set growing in 2 inches of gravel over a concrete base. So drainage is the key to winter survival.
If you can get them try Galtonia viridis, pale green flowers. The other species, G. princeps is just a smaller version of G. candicans.

 

Thank you Palustris, sounds like I should buy a few and then collect seed and sow those to get myself a decent looking clump. While looking to see where I can source some Galtonia Candicans I did see Galtonia Viridis offered too. You suggest they are worth growing too? any different requirements? I grow Veratrum Viride which has green flowers which I rather like so will have a bash at Viridis if you think they will be ok here. Needing good drainage perhaps I won't give them loads of mare's best which most of my plants get!

 

G. viridis is probably not as hardy as G. candicans so does need a sheltered spot. Save seed of both and sow either fresh or dry stored in Spring. Both will flower in 2 years from seed.

 

Mine were sown last autumn and left in a coldframe where they germinated freely in the spring.

That's heartening to know.

 

Mine too

I grew mine from seed ... pretty sure they flowered in the Second season, so not long to wait,

Waste of time, far too green and in-distinctive ... @longk is having all mine at the end of the season (perhaps he's found a recipe for them?!!)

 

As my great grandad would have said..................
"Tha's just a joyless beggar"

 

Its all right, I know you will enjoy them