PLANT FOCUS: Schizostylis coccinea Sunrise

There are relatively few flowers that begin blooming in Autumn and put on a good show despite shortening days but schizostylis coccinea does!

Commonly known as Kaffir Lily, the plants have linear leaves and upright flower-spikes, each topped by several flowers that open wide like a crocus.

This single species is vigorous and clump-forming. The flowers are scarlet/pink (coccinea means scarlet) and the plant is a native of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.

To grow well, plant in a fertile moist soil (plants do well beside a pond for example) and shelter from cold winds. You can buy this variety as a herbaceous perennial plant from garden centres like St Bridget Nurseries in Exeter.