Moraea elegans

Moraea elegans

It is a winter-growing, summer-dormant geophyte. The large, shallowly cup-shaped flowers are rather variable in their color combinations and have oblong, bright orange or yellow outer tepals, each with a prominent bright green or brownish green, spade-like marking in the center or towards the base, and bright yellow, narrower, oblong inner tepals that are usually unmarked. The flowers are scented and produced in succession.

Sowing instructions: Seed is sown in autumn, thinly, in deep (min. 10 cm) seed trays, to allow for root development. The soil medium should be well drained, a recommended mix being 2 parts sand: 2 parts compost: 1 part loam or equal parts sand and compost, and the seeds should be planted 3-4 mm deep, covered with clean sand and kept moist and lightly shaded.

Locality: Napier. Harvest: August 2024