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Bulbine frutescens

$6.50

Bulbine frutescens is an undemanding plant. It makes a nice succulent ground cover and blooms throughout the year. Bulbine frutescens works great as a low border plant in succulent gardens and could be used among rocks in xeriscape plantings.

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Bulbine frutescens

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Bulbine frutescens is an undemanding plant. It makes a nice succulent ground cover and blooms throughout the year. Bulbine frutescens works great as a low border plant in succulent gardens and could be used among rocks in xeriscape plantings. Since it can accept more water, Bulbine frutescens works nicely in drought tolerant perennial gardens combined with euphorbias, lavanduas and other Mediterranean climate perennials. Bulbine frutescens prefers well-draining soils but it adapts somewhat to heavier soils. It can also be grown in containers.

Mediterranean climate

This fast growing plant has narrow fleshy bright green leaves which grow in open rosettes. In bloom, Bulbine frutescens reaches two feet. It blooms from early spring to summer and on into fall. Note that in hot interior climates it takes a rest during the warmest months before coming back in fall. The star-shaped flowers are borne on spikes. The petals are yellow to orange with fluffy yellow stamens that give the flowers a bi-colored look.

Bulbine frutescens contains glycoproteins which give it similar healing properties to Aloe vera. The fresh leaf produces a jelly-like juice that is helpful for burns, rashes, blisters, insect bites, cracked lips, acne, cold sores, mouth ulcers and areas of cracked skin. This plant is ideal to grow and is a useful first-aid remedy for children’s daily knocks and scrapes.

The Rastafarians make an infusion of a few fresh leaves in a cup of boiling water and after straining drink it for coughs, colds and arthritis.

Horticultural Data

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Common Names: Bulbine, Cape Balsam, Jelly Burn Plant, Snake Flower, Cat’s Tail, Geelkatstet
Family: Asphodelaceae
Origin: Coastal regions of southern South Africa to Mozambique
Size Label: 1 Gallon
Height: 12-18″
Width: 4-5′
Cold Tolerance: 20 to 25°F , -6.7 to -3.9°C
Heat Tolerance: High heat tolerance.
Light Requirement: Light shade to full sun.
Water needs: Drought tolerant, but plants will be fuller and bloom more with some irrigation.
Maintenance: Remove spent flower stalks. Divide large clumps as desired.
Uses: This undemanding plant makes a nice succulent ground cover and blooms throughout the year. It works great as a low border plant in succulent gardens and could be used among rocks in xeriscape plantings. Since it can accept more water, it works nicely in drought tolerant perennial gardens combined with euphorbias, lavanduas and other Mediterranean climate perennials. Bulbine frutescens prefers well-draining soils but it adapts somewhat to heavier soils. It can also be grown in containers.
Propagation: This plant can be propagated by seed or division.
Problems: None.

Research Links:
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2660
https://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Bulbine_frutescens.html
http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/bulbinefrut.htm
http://www.sdbgarden.org/plant-6.htm

Shipping & Availability

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There is a minimum purchase of any 4 plants for online orders. All plants shipped bare root. Other sizes may be available for pick up from our growing grounds in Fallbrook, CA. For more information, give us a call at 760-990-4762.
Click here for complete Price List.