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Babiana Mixed Purples

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Looking to add vibrant, long-lasting colour to your garden? Babiana is the perfect pick! Thriving across all Australian climates—from cool to tropical—these charming bulbous perennials produce star-shaped blooms in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white, creating a cheerful spring display that lasts for weeks. Ideal for garden beds, borders, rockeries, and pots, Babiana thrives in full sun to part shade and grows to a neat, compact height, making it perfect for adding colour to any space. Its soft, textured foliage adds interest even when not in bloom. Drought-tolerant once established and able to handle light frosts, Babiana is a low-maintenance plant that returns year after year with minimal care. Plus, its fragrance-free flowers are perfect for allergy sufferers and make excellent long-lasting cut flowers. Add Babiana to your garden and enjoy vibrant, carefree colours with little effort!

SKU: TCBABMXD005 Category: Tags: ,

Description

What is Babiana?

Babiana, commonly known as Baboon Flowers, is a striking bulbous perennial from the Iridaceae family, prized for its vibrant, star-shaped blooms and soft, textured foliage. Native to South Africa’s Cape Province, Babiana thrives in Mediterranean climates and is ideal for Australian gardens. The name comes from baboons seen digging up and eating the corms in the wild.

These flowers bloom in purples, blues, pinks, and whites, creating a delightful spring display. Each stem produces multiple blossoms, extending the bloom period for weeks. Unlike freesias, Babiana flowers are fragrance-free, making them a great option for allergy sufferers.

Climate Suitability

Babianas are highly adaptable and can grow across Australian climates, from cool to tropical. They thrive in various conditions but perform exceptionally well in temperate and Mediterranean regions. In subtropical and tropical areas, planting during cooler months ensures success.

Storage and Dormancy

Babiana corms are supplied dormant for easy handling. If planting is delayed, store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot. Keep them away from fruits that release ethylene gas, which can cause sprouting. Check regularly for rot or mould.

Outdoor Planting

Plant Babianas in sunny garden beds, borders, or rockeries. In wetter climates, raised beds or well-draining areas help prevent waterlogging. Once established, they tolerate drought, making them ideal for low-maintenance gardens.

Naturalisation

Babianas are well-suited to naturalising in temperate and Mediterranean climates, where they spread easily in gardens with minimal maintenance. They can also naturalise in subtropical regions with well-draining soil and protection from excess moisture. In tropical climates, planting in elevated areas improves success. Babianas tolerate cold conditions but require protection from heavy frost. Once established, they also endure dry periods.

Cut Flowers

Babianas make excellent cut flowers, adding a splash of colour to indoor arrangements. Their blooms hold well in a vase and last over a week. To maximise vase life, cut stems at an angle in the morning and place them in water immediately.

Planting and Care Guide

Planting Time: Plant from March to June. In cooler areas, plant in early autumn. Subtropical and tropical regions should aim for late autumn to early winter to avoid heat.

Location: Choose a spot with full sun to light shade and well-draining soil. Babianas thrive in garden beds, borders, and containers.

Depth and Spacing: Plant corms about 10 cm deep and 10-15 cm apart. Cover with soil and firm gently.

Fertilising: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser at planting. Reapply in late winter or early spring when new shoots appear.

Mulching: Add a light layer of organic mulch to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Watering: Water thoroughly after planting. During the growing season, keep the soil moist but avoid waterlogging. Reduce watering once established.

Division and Aftercare

After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally to strengthen the corms for the next season. Avoid cutting foliage too early, as it continues to photosynthesise and store energy for future growth.

Babianas grow in clumps that can become overcrowded, reducing flowering. Divide every 3-4 years during dormancy to maintain healthy growth. Carefully lift clumps using a garden fork. Gently separate corms by hand, ensuring roots remain attached. Discard damaged corms. Replant promptly, spacing them to allow for spreading.

Pest and Disease Management

Babianas are generally resilient but can be affected by pests and diseases.

Common Pests:

  • Aphids: Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
  • Slugs and Snails: Use traps or organic pellets to manage them.

Disease Prevention: Ensure good air circulation and avoid waterlogging. Inspect plants regularly and remove affected parts.

Safety

Babianas are not highly toxic but may cause mild irritation if ingested. Keep bulbs out of reach of pets and children. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.

Supplied as dormant bulbs.

Additional information

Price Code

A – Pink Pack

Botanical Name

Babiana stricta

Quantity in Pack

5 Bulbs

Flowering Time

Spring

Planting Time

Plant from March onwards

Growing Height

15-25 cm

Planting Depth

Plant 10 cm deep with the pointed end facing upwards.

Soil

Use well-draining, nutrient-rich soil to give your Babianas the best start. Before planting, enrich garden beds with well-broken-down compost or aged manure to improve soil structure and fertility. For pots, choose a high-quality potting mix designed for containers that provides excellent drainage to prevent waterlogging. Avoid heavy or clay soils that retain too much moisture, as Babianas prefer soil that dries out slightly between waterings.

How to Plant

Choose a spot with full sun to light shade. In areas with wet summers, plant Babianas in well-draining soil—such as on slopes, in raised beds, or in sandy or gravelly areas—to prevent waterlogging. Prepare the soil by working in organic matter or compost to improve drainage and boost nutrients.

Plant the corms 10 cm deep with the pointed side up, spacing them 10-15 cm apart. For pots, corms can be planted slightly closer, but ensure there is enough space for them to multiply. Cover with soil and water to settle them in. Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season, especially in drier climates, but avoid overwatering. Apply a light layer of mulch to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, particularly in hotter regions such as Mediterranean or desert climates. Using gravel or coarse sand as mulch is ideal for those naturalising in areas prone to wet conditions.

Fertilise in late winter to early spring, just before new shoots appear or when they are first visible, using a balanced, slow-release fertiliser to encourage healthy growth and blooms.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season, but avoid waterlogged conditions. Babianas handle dry soil better than overly wet soil, so ensuring good drainage is key. In arid regions, increase watering frequency to maintain moisture, while in areas with higher rainfall, reduce watering to prevent excess moisture around the bulbs.

To prevent bulb rot, particularly in cooler months when evaporation is slower, ensure the planting area has excellent drainage. If needed, amend the soil with sand or grit to improve water flow. In humid climates, plant Babianas in raised beds or well-draining areas to protect them during dormancy and minimise the risk of rot.

Fertilise

Fertilising during preparation isn’t necessary if the soil has been enriched with well-aged compost or manure. However, applying a balanced, slow-release fertiliser just before new growth appears, or as shoots become visible, will give Babianas an extra boost for healthy growth and vibrant blooms.

Pruning

Once the flowering season ends, allow the foliage to die back naturally. The leaves continue to photosynthesise after blooming, storing energy in the bulbs to prepare them for next season’s growth. Cutting back foliage too soon can weaken the bulbs and reduce future flowering. Once the leaves have completely withered, trim them back with pruners or mow over the area if they are part of a larger garden bed. Removing the spent foliage keeps your garden tidy while ensuring the bulbs have conserved enough energy for strong blooms next year.

Babianas naturally form thick clumps over time and may need to be dug up and divided every couple of years, especially if overcrowding reduces flowering. Divide the corms once the foliage has fully died back in late spring to early summer. This timing ensures the bulbs have entered dormancy, allowing them to rest and store energy for the next growing season.

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