Freesias cannot be planted in the garden all year round nor do they bloom all year round. However, it is worth taking care of this very decorative and delicately scented plant from South Africa.
When is the freesia season?
The freesia season begins with planting in May after the Ice Saints and ends with the flowering period between August and October. They are available as cut flowers from January to June, grown in greenhouses.
The planting season
Even if you can buy freesia tubers quite early in the spring, you should not plant them in the ground too early. Freesias are not hardy and freeze very quickly. Planting time only begins when the Ice Saints are reliably over.
A few days before you want to plant your freesias, take the tubers (€9.00 on Amazon) into the warm, where they can acclimatize for a few days. Immediately before planting, soak the tubers in warm water. While they are still wet, they can then be placed about five to ten centimeters deep in the soil and watered thoroughly again.
The heyday
Freesias usually bloom between August and October. However, the flowering time can be varied a little by shifting the planting time. There is little scope for planting in the garden. If you would like to cultivate your freesias as a houseplant, then give it a try.
Season as a cut flower
Freesias are not only very popular in the garden or as houseplants, but also as cut flowers. In this form, their season lasts from January to June, and the flowers are specially grown in greenhouses.
You can extend the life of your freesias in the vase a little by keeping them cool overnight or while you are away from home. This applies to both purchased and self-cut freesias.
The most important things in brief:
- Planting time in the garden: end of May, after the Ice Saints
- Store tubers moderately warm, airy and dry in winter
- Store tubers warm shortly before planting
- Keep soil moist but not wet
- Flowering time: August to October
- Make sure to let the leaves dry directly on the plant
Tip
An overwintered freesia does not always bloom again the next year; a try is only worth it if the tubers are nice and large and completely undamaged.
