|
Sebaea
thomasii - by Mary and Hugh McAllister |
|
| |
|
| Sebaea
thomasii is a relatively new plant to
British alpine gardeners. It comes from
Lesotho, South Africa or more correctly
the Drakensberg mountains which take up a
substantial part of the country. Sebaea,
in many other forms grows in this area and
shares the region with well known plants
such as Helichrysum, Rhodohypoxis,
Kniphofia, Glumicalyx etc.
|
| Sebaea
is a member of the gentian family and it
grows in moist peaty turf. It has settled
down well in British gardens and is a very
pretty plant with its yellow
scented flowers which can last in
mid-spring for 3-4 weeks.
|
| I
acquired my plant about 5
years
ago from Aberconwy Nurseries and it was
re-potted annually. I use 1part J.I. No.3,
1part grit,
1part bark fine, 1part coarse
perlite. My plant now occupies a 26cm.pot
and had well over 100 flowers last year.
It received
a Certificate of Merit in the
Ulster show
2012/2013.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| A
good tip for
encouraging
growth is to give the plant a “haircut”
after flowering has finished.
Most publications say that the plant is
difficult to grow but I have grown it outside
for the
most of its
life.
It enjoys good light at all times, plenty of
water during the growing season and an
occasional spray in dry weather.
|
| Sebaea
thomasii is well worthwhile trying to grow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
