Brevoortia - Floral Fire Cracker

(Brevoort'ia)

DESCRIPTION: This is a Californian, bulbous plant that belongs to the Lily family. Brevoortia will grow 1½ to 3 feet tall. It bears umbels of tubular, long-lasting flowers that are scarlet with green tips. This plant can grow outdoors in mild climates. It doesn’t do well in most eastern American gardens.

POTTING: When grown outdoors, they should be planted in loose, deep soil in light shade. The bulbs should be placed so that the tops are three-fourths of an inch below the surface. When planted in pots in a cool greenhouse, frame, or sunny, cool window, they should be potted in loam, peat and a little sand. If planted inside, they'll flower in late winter or early spring.

PROPAGATION: Offsets can be taken off the bulbs when they are dormant and planted in pots until they're large enough to be planted outdoors. They can be raised from seeds, however, they won't bloom for several years. They should be sown as soon as they're ripe, in pots of sandy soil in a greenhouse with a 50-degree temperature.

VARIETIES: B. coccinea.

Back to our botanical home page.