Kaffir lily advice please

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Lorna, Sep 7, 2010.

  1. Lorna

    Lorna Gardener

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    Now that I've established what my schizostylis coccinea or kaffir lily is (thanks for all the replies on the identification forum) I'd like some advice on its habits.

    My clump is trying to take over the whole flowerbed by spreading outwards - new leaflets are appearing all the time. I'm trying to restrain it by hoeing a lot of these out, but I'm noticing that the flowers seem to appear on the outer edges of the clump and not the central area. Is this always the case? If so, I should be splitting the clump regularly and discarding the centre, I suppose. On the other hand, the plant has only been in for two years and I would have thought that was a bit early to have to split. I'm certainly not getting the profusion of blooms I admired in the garden of the lady who gave me the plant (and with whom I've now lost touch). Help please!
     
  2. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    Hi Lorna, I have not had so many blooms on mine this year yet either, but they are a bit of a problem as regards spreading.. I took mine out of the borders in the end & have mine in a couple of very large old stone planters.. I just take mine out & split them about every 3 years when they are bursting out of the containers.. I find they flower more profusely if just left alone, but they do like a sunny sheltered spot in my experience, but can cope with some shade.. They also like a moist slightly acidic soil as well... In saying that mine are flowering quite well though at present...:thumb: Hope that is of some help Lorna.. :wink:
     
  3. Lorna

    Lorna Gardener

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    Thanks, Marley, that is helpful. I was thinking of just taking the whole lot out of my civilised flowerbed and putting it in one of the wilder areas of the garden where it could spread to its heart's content. Only trouble there is, most of the garden has very alkaline soil..... :(

    So I think I'll still do that but also, as you suggest, put some into a container. Then I'll still have some if the rest decide they don't like the soil. In my experience, sometimes plants surprise you. Being so high and so windy here, and with alkaline soil, you would think very little would survive. In fact we have a packed and colourful garden. My rule is to try the things I like and if they don't thrive, chalk it up to experience.
     
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