Cyrtanthus mackeniiIfafa Lily

Cyrtanthus mackenii is a small clumping bulb from the stream banks of KwaZulu-Natal, grown for the umbels of narrow tubular flowers it carries on slender stems above strap-shaped leaves. Cream and white are the usual colours, with yellow and pink forms in cultivation, and most are pleasantly scented.

It builds into a dense colony over a few seasons, which makes it useful as a low mass at the front of a shaded bed or as a long-lived container subject.

Specifications

• Height0.3 to 0.4 metres
• Width0.2 to 0.3 metres, spreading into colonies
• Native toKwaZulu-Natal in South Africa
• FoliageNarrow, strap-shaped, semi-glossy leaves in dense clumps; evergreen to semi-evergreen
• Growth rateModerate

Conditions

• SoilPrefers moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil
• LightPartial shade to filtered sun
• WaterModerate; keep moist in growth and drier during dormancy
• ClimateThrives in subtropical and warm temperate frost-free regions

Additional Features

• FlowersUmbels of narrow tubular cream, yellow or pink flowers, lightly fragrant, mostly in spring and autumn
• UsesLow mass at the front of shaded beds, path edging, containers and interior display
• SpacingPlant 6 to 8 bulbs per square metre for a closed clump
• Low MaintenanceLift and divide congested colonies every few years; otherwise leave undisturbed
• Pest ResistanceGenerally trouble-free; watch for narcissus fly in warm dry conditions
• Seasonal AppealTwo flowering flushes a year with evergreen foliage between them

The Ifafa Lily is a quiet, long-lived bulb for shaded ground, giving scent and colour twice a year without asking for much.