Guide to growing Harlequin Flower - Sparaxis
Plants of the Sparaxis genus are hardy bulbs that are usually grown as annuals by gardeners.
Sparaxis range in height from 30 to 60cm and naturally bloom from the middle to late spring (sowing late can result in summer blooms).
They have lance shaped leaves and carry trumpet shaped flowers on spikes; the Sparaxis flowers may be of pink, purple, red, orange or white. Some common names for Sparaxis include Harlequin Flower and Wandflower.
How to grow Harlequin Flower and other Sparaxis species
Harlequin Flowers and other Sparaxis can be grown from outdoors from bulbs or seeds. The Sparaxis bulbs should be planted with a little sand about 7 or 8cm deep in the spring (summer blooms) or autumn (spring blooms); seeds should be sown in either early autumn or early spring and lightly covered once sown. Ideally Harlequin flowers and related species should be grown in a sunny part of the garden that has a neutral or alkaline dry soil.
When starting off indoors sow Sparaxis seeds about 10 weeks in advance. They should take about one to three months to germinate at 10 to 12 degrees centigrade. Transplant the young Sparaxis seedlings outdoors following the last frost of spring with a spacing of about 10cm.
Caring for Harlequin flower - Sparaxis
It is easy tocare for Sparaxis species such as Harlequin flower and Wandflowers. In the spring tome they should be supplied with a top dressing of cow manure. When growing provide a regular watering and fertilizing. If grown in an exposed area it may be a good idea to supply a light stake for the Sparaxis plants. If you require more plants then Sparaxis can be propagated by planting the offsets.