Freesia Parigo Giant Santorini - Trenton Cottage
Freesia Parigo Giant Santorini - Trenton Cottage
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Freesia Parigo Giant Santorini

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Experience elegance in full bloom with Freesia Parigo Giant Santorini (Freesia x hybrida). Each blossom opens with a bright yellow centre that softly transitions to a rich red-orange blend along the petals, with vibrant red hues that reveal a warm orange glow in the sunlight. This captivating gradient adds depth and warmth, making Santorini an enchanting choice for any garden. Thriving in cool to subtropical climates, this low-maintenance variety is perfect for mass planting in beds, borders, and containers, or naturalising beautifully under trees and across open lawns. These striking blooms also bring warmth indoors, filling rooms with long-lasting beauty and a sweet fragrance when used as cut flowers. Versatile and pet-safe, Freesia Parigo Giant Santorini is perfect for gardeners seeking both colour and sophistication indoors and out.

SKU: TCFREGSA010 Category: Tags: , , ,

Description

Introduction to Freesia Parigo Giant Santorini
Freesia Parigo Giant Santorini stands out as a ‘giant’ among freesias, with a taller profile and larger blooms in a radiant red hue. Each blossom’s vibrant red petals catch a warm orange glow in the sunlight, adding a captivating touch to any garden. This cormous perennial from the Iridaceae family brings charm and versatility to gardens and floral arrangements. Thriving in cool to subtropical climates, these South African natives create eye-catching spring displays and are safe for pets and children, making them a family-friendly choice. These low-maintenance plants add colour and beauty with minimal effort.

Key Characteristics
For a striking display, Freesia Parigo Giant Santorini offers taller stems and bold blooms with a captivating red-orange gradient, adding warmth to any garden. Its long green leaves provide a lush backdrop, and the sweet fragrance enhances its appeal as a cut flower with an extended vase life when cut in bud.

Best Uses
Ideal for mass planting, Freesias creates a vibrant display in beds, borders, and containers. It also naturalises beautifully under trees or across open lawns, adding meadow-like charm. The vivid hues and fragrance make it perfect for weddings, special occasions, or adding warmth and colour indoors.

Climate Suitability

This freesia variety adapts well across climates from cool to subtropical, thriving particularly in temperate and Mediterranean regions where it can naturalise and rebloom each year. While mild conditions are optimal, freesias perform well in cooler, drier, or moderately humid environments with proper care and can tolerate temperatures down to 0°C.

How to Plant Freesias

Follow these steps for planting success:

  • Timing: Plant from March onwards, ideally in autumn before winter, or early spring after frost.
  • Location: Choose a spot with full sun, though it will tolerate light shade for part of the day, and ensure it is sheltered from strong winds.
  • Soil Preparation: Use well-draining soil; amend poor soils with compost and add sand or perlite for drainage.
  • Depth and Spacing: Plant corms 7 cm deep, with the pointed end up, and space 5-10 cm apart.
  • Watering: Water thoroughly after planting, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
  • Fertiliser: Add slow-release granule fertiliser at planting. Top dress with a liquid, bulb, or complete fertiliser six weeks after shoots appear, with optional light feeds to support growth and blooms.
  • Mulching: Add mulch around the base to retain moisture and moderate soil temperature.

Aftercare and Dormancy

Once blooming ends, allow the foliage to die back naturally, helping store energy for the next season. Gradually reduce watering as the leaves yellow, watering sparingly during dormancy only if the soil becomes very dry. Corms can be left in the ground or lifted, cleaned, and stored in a cool, dry place until the next planting season.

Blooming and Vase Life

Freesias bloom in spring, typically lasting 2 to 4 weeks in the garden and up to three weeks indoors when cut fresh. For optimal vase life, cut stems at an angle, remove submerged leaves, refresh the water regularly, and keep arrangements in a cool spot.

Pests and Diseases

Though hardy, they may encounter pests such as aphids or thrips, manageable with insecticidal soap. Snails and slugs are best controlled through organic barriers or by hand-picking. Ensuring good soil drainage helps prevent fungal issues and bulb rot.

Safety and Allergy-Friendly

Freesia Parigo Giant Santorini is a family-friendly choice, as it is non-toxic and safe for pets and children. Unlike many bulbs, these freesias pose no risk if touched, making them ideal for homes where safety is a priority, even for those with sensitive skin. With a gentle fragrance, Freesia Parigo Giant Santorini is an excellent option for individuals with mild fragrance sensitivities who still wish to enjoy the beauty of freesias. For those with severe allergies, other allergy-free bulb options are available on our website, ensuring everyone can find the perfect bloom for their needs.

Supplied as dormant corms.

Additional information

Price Code

B – Aqua Pack
Botanical Name

Freesia x hybrida
Quantity in Pack

10 Bulbs
Flowering Time

Spring
Planting Time

Plant from March onwards
Growing Height

25-45 cm
Planting Depth

7 cm
Soil

Use well-draining soil; before planting, enrich poor soils with compost or well-rotted manure, adding sand or perlite if extra drainage is needed. For sandy soils, mix in organic matter to improve moisture retention. Incorporate a granular slow-release fertiliser for steady nutrition. For pots, choose a high-quality, well-draining potting mix and consider adding a balanced, slow-release fertiliser to support healthy growth.
How to Plant

Plant freesias in full sun, though they can tolerate light shade for part of the day, especially in warmer climates to shield them from the afternoon sun. Protect from strong winds. Set corms 7 cm deep with the pointed end up, spacing them 5–10 cm apart to allow room for growth. Water thoroughly after planting and apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and moderate soil temperature, encouraging vibrant blooms in spring.
Watering

After planting, water thoroughly to help settle the soil. During the growing season, check the top inch of soil; water when it feels dry, aiming to keep the soil consistently moist without waterlogging. If growing in pots, they will require more frequent watering due to quicker drying of the soil in containers. Gradually reduce watering as the leaves turn yellow and begin to wither, signalling the bulbs to enter dormancy. Once the leaves have completely died back, the soil should remain mostly dry but not fully parched. Water sparingly during dormancy, only when the soil is completely dry, to avoid excess moisture, while ensuring the soil doesn't become too dry for extended periods.
Fertilise

Enrich the soil with a granular slow-release fertiliser before planting. Six weeks after shoots appear, top-dress with a liquid, bulb, or complete fertiliser. If blooms or foliage appear nutrient-deficient, an optional feed can be applied, but avoid over-fertilising as this may cause blooms and foliage to deteriorate or lead to excessive, weak growth.
Pruning

Freesias generally do not require pruning, but you can enhance their appearance by removing spent flowers to maintain a tidy look and prevent the plant from directing energy into fading blooms. Freesias can even be cut for display, but it’s best to cut the stems when the first flower blooms to ensure the longest vase life. Once flowering ends, allow the foliage to naturally die back, helping the corms store energy for the next growing season. Do not cut the foliage until it has completely yellowed, as this ensures the corms receive the necessary nutrients for healthy growth in the following season.

Freesias generally do not require frequent division but can benefit from it every 3-4 years or when overcrowding occurs. Dividing freesias helps rejuvenate the plants, promoting healthier growth and better blooms. After the foliage has died back, gently lift the corms, separate them, and discard any damaged or rotten bulbs. Replant the healthy corms or store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, such as a mesh bag or cardboard box, until it's time to replant them. Dividing Freesias also helps prevent overcrowding, ensuring that the plants continue to thrive and bloom beautifully.
Please note: those who experience heavy frosts, humidity, and wet summers should lift and store these each year.
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