Watsonia is a genus in the Iridaceae family of over 50 species from southern Africa. Species are centered in the south-western Cape of South Africa but extend north into Namaqualand and east into the summer rainfall areas of eastern South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho. Growing from a corm, species are both evergreen and perennial. Many are quite tall with fans of sword-shaped leaves and spikes of showy flowers that are usually pink, bright red or orange. They are popular garden plants in countries where they are hardy with many attractive cultivars available. Their bright colours and tall flowering spikes can make them a very prominent part of the garden when in bloom.

Growing from 0.4-1m with 3-4 leaves with heavily thickened margins and bright red-orange flowers in summer.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.