Description
Albuca shawii (Hyacinthaceae). Lantern Flower (e), Lanternblom (a) Hardy, attractive, deciduous, bulbous plant with bright green, long, very narrow, sticky leaves that smell of liquorice when crushed. It has spikes of pendulous, scented, yellow flowers from early to mid summer. A worthwhile garden subject for sun or semi-shade. Plant in a grassland garden where the bell-like nodding flowers appear above the grass. Size 30cm. Sowing: Fill a pot with a moist, gritty, loam-based compost. Gently firm down and level the surface. Scatter your seeds over the surface, taking care not to sow them too thickly. Gently sprinkle a thin layer of vermiculite or fine grit over the seeds, covering the whole surface of the compost. Leave the pot in a greenhouse or on a warm windowsill, covered with a clear plastic bag to preserve soil moisture. Seedlings will develop within a few weeks. Remove the plastic bag and water when the compost becomes dry, but spray the surface with water regularly, to keep it moist. Locality: Bloemfontein. Harvest: November 2021
