Freesias cannot be planted in the garden all year round, nor do they flower all year round. However, it is worth looking into the care of this very decorative and delicately scented plant from South Africa.
Freesias bloom in midsummer
The planting season
Even if you can buy freesia tubers early in the spring, you should not put them in the ground too early. Freesias are not hardy and freeze very quickly. Only when the ice saints are reliably over does the planting season begin.
A few days before planting your freesias, bring the tubers into a warm place where they can acclimate for a few days. Immediately before planting, soak the tubers in warm water. They can then be planted about five to ten centimeters deep in the ground while they are still wet and watered thoroughly again.
The heyday
Freesias usually flower between August and October. However, the flowering time can be varied a little by shifting the time of planting. When planting in the garden, there is only little room for manoeuvre. But if you want to cultivate your freesia as a houseplant, then give it a try.
Season as a cut flower
Freesias are not only very popular in the garden or as houseplants, but also as cut flowers. In this form, its season lasts from January to June, and the flowers are specially grown in greenhouses for this purpose.
You can extend the life of your freesias in the vase a bit if you refrigerate them overnight or when you are away from home. This applies to both purchased and self-cut freesias.
The essentials in brief:
- Planting time in the garden: end of May, after the ice saints
- Keep tubers moderately warm, airy and dry in winter
- Store tubers in a warm place just before planting
- Keep soil moist but not wet
- Flowering period: August to October
- Be sure to let the leaves dry directly on the plant
tips
A freesia that has overwintered does not always bloom again the next year; it is only worth trying if the tubers are nice and large and completely undamaged.