Schizostylis coccinea

Saw one yesterday in a GC yesterday (whilst shpping for bedding plants for mother-in-law, I hasten add!) and was intrigued by the promise of flowers in late summer/autumn and even into winter.
I'm getting conflicting advice online about it - some say its hard work to look after, others is fully hardy and others that it needs mulching over winter, but all seem to agree well draining soil and full sun. I have the ideal place for it in the border, but does anyone here have further advice to assist me?

Ta

PS Its also known as Kaffir Lily:thumb:

 

Evening Aaron ...

This could be a difficult one, the Kaffir Lily .... but it's not a Lily and belongs to the Iris family ... :hehe:

It is an evergreen and don't like to be dry at the roots. Perhaps it would be safe to mulch it ..... lovely plant to have. It likes sun (not my kind of sun) or part shade.

Good luck if you decide to try it but I think it will be okay with you. :gnthb:

 

Thanks Vicky. It has a spot in my border awaiting it, as soon as the walflowers fade away...shade by a (as yet) non performing Peony...

 

we have a few of these dotted about the college borders and they get left there year after year and they might get a bit of mulch in the spring if there lucky and that's about it =]

 

Mine comes back every year without any special treatment. It is certainly one of the last things to flower in the garden.

 

Seeds itself all over the border in every plant around it and the different coloured forms disappear back into the ordinary red one as they are swamped by seedlings. So if it likes your garden situation, be prepared to do some weeding.

 

I'm used to self seeding, what with the Alchemilla, Feverfew, Fennel, Euphorbia and Lemon Balm doing the same...

Sounds like it'll be a good addition to the border then.