Fantasia Freesia 'Algarve'

Soft, mauve blue double blooms with a fabulous, strong perfume.

Arouse your senses with these colourful, fragrant flowers. Fantasia Freesias are fully double blooms in pretty hues. The flowers can be on show for weeks, and each stem produces numerous florets.

Freesias are adored by gardeners the world over. They are easy and versatile, growing in decent sized pots, or mass plantings in beds and borders.

These hardy South African bulbs enjoy cool winters (when they initiate buds), then begin their seasonal growth with the warm, moist soils of autumn, budding foliage through winter, then flowering late winter into spring, avoiding the heat. They go into dormancy as the weather warms, when a hot, dry summer is appreciated. They should naturalise Perth to Adelaide, Victoria, Tasmania and along the NSW East coast north to Newcastle. In other areas they may be suitable annuals.

The blooms can last up to three weeks in a vase and are best picked as the first flower opens. Yellow, blue and white are the longest lasting - but only by a day or two.

We recommend planting them somewhere that you can appreciate their delightful fragrance. From planting, Freesias average 90-120 days to flower, they are quicker in warm weather. Freesias grow best in a sunny spot with protection from the hot afternoon sun in a well drained soil. If they are not getting enough light they will flop over. They are best planted in groups around 3-5cm apart.

Freesia bulbs are best left to naturalise and will only need to be lifted for division every three or four years. In cold climates they may need some protection from hard frosts - plant in pots, or morning shade or add a layer of straw mulch to help protect them. They should also be pretty dry in their dormancy, or you need to ensure the soil is well drained.

In pots use a good quality potting mix and add a bit of extra potash/tomato fertiliser, liquid is ideal every couple of weeks. Ensure you keep the pots moist, especially once they begin to grow as pots dry out easily and quickly and this may halt the flowering. Also if the pots get too hot, then their flowering will stop. The pots should be tall as the plants have a long tap root. Plant them around 3-5cm apart for a nice full show.

If you live in a cold climate, you could plant your Freesias in spring for a late summer to autumn show.

IN POTS:
This is our recommendation for the best display, keeping in mind bulbs look best when planted nice and close together.

14cm/6" = 15 bulbs
20cm/8" = 30 bulbs
25cm/10" = 50 bulbs

See here for more hints and tips:
Top Ten Tips on How to Plant your Spring Bulbs in Pots