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Queen Fabiola

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Elevate your garden with the captivating charm of Triteleia Queen Fabiola (Triteleia laxa), a perennial favourite known for its dazzling violet-blue, star-shaped blooms. Blooming for up to a month in late spring to early summer, these elegant flowers rise gracefully on slender stems, each showcasing up to 25 blooms, creating a show-stopping display that pairs beautifully with other garden favourites. Perfect for borders, rock gardens, and pots, this beauty thrives in sunny, well-drained conditions, making it suitable for all climates, including those with mild winters and dry summers. Its long-lasting blooms, which remain fresh for up to two weeks in vases, bring a touch of natural elegance indoors. Best planted in groups, this pack is designed to ensure a vibrant and full display, adding effortless beauty and versatility to your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re planting en masse for a bold statement or adding subtle accents, Triteleia Queen Fabiola is a must-have for gardeners seeking standout style and easy care.

 

Description

Triteleia Queen Fabiola
Also known as Ithuriel’s Spear, this perennial corm from the Asparagaceae family is native to North America. Renowned for its clusters of vibrant violet-blue, star-shaped flowers, it blooms in late spring to early summer, rising atop slender stems and narrow, strap-like foliage. As the flowers emerge, the foliage begins to naturally die back but does not completely wither until after the blooms have faded, allowing the plant to focus energy on its elegant display. The deep blue-violet petals feature lighter centres, creating a striking contrast, while its airy structure adds lightness and movement to garden beds or containers.

Climate suitability

Queen Fabiola is a resilient perennial, suitable for all climates, thriving in sunny, well-drained conditions and adapting to various soil types. It prefers dry summers and cool winters and is hardy to around -5°C once established, though frost protection is needed during its initial phase using mulch, greenhouses, or frost cloths. Once established, move them to sheltered spots or cover them with mulch.

When to Plant: Plant corms from March. In warmer climates, plant in mid to late autumn to allow roots to establish in cooler soil. Once established, they are drought-tolerant and perfect for low-maintenance gardens.

Uses in the Garden

Queen Fabiola is a versatile addition to the garden. It works beautifully in pots, rock gardens, and borders, where its vibrant flowers can create focal points or complement other plants. When planted en masse, it forms a bold carpet of colour, while smaller clusters bring subtle charm to compact spaces. Its elegant stems make it an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements, adding natural beauty to indoor displays. Planting it among other perennials can help disguise its foliage as it dies back, keeping the focus on its stunning blooms.

How to Plant

  1. Prepare the Location: Choose a sunny spot for optimal blooms, though the plant will still thrive in partial shade.
  2. Enrich the Soil: Ensure the soil has good drainage by mixing in compost, well-aged manure, or a complete organic fertiliser, such as blood and bone, to support strong growth and vibrant flowers.
  3. Plant the Corms: Place corms 5–8 cm deep (about three times their height) with the pointed side up. In warmer climates, plant them at least 8 cm deep to protect them from heat and drying out. Space corms 10 cm apart in the ground, or a few centimetres apart if planting in pots to create a fuller display.
  4. Water Thoroughly: After planting, water well to settle the soil and encourage root establishment.
  5. Maintain Moisture: Keep the soil consistently damp but not waterlogged throughout the growing season.
  6. Apply Mulch: Add a 2–5 cm layer of mulch to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and protect the corms from fluctuations.

Aftercare

After flowering, allow the foliage to die completely, enabling the bulbs to store energy for the next season. Once the flowers have faded, apply an organic fertiliser, such as blood and bone, to strengthen the bulbs and encourage robust growth. Consider lifting and storing bulbs in a cool, dry place to prevent rot in regions with very wet summers or prolonged periods of heavy rainfall. During winter, top-dress the planting area with a complete fertiliser or bulb food to prepare the bulbs for the coming growth cycle.

Division

Divide corms every 3–5 years to prevent overcrowding and maintain healthy growth. Lift the corms after the foliage has died back, carefully separate any offsets, and replant or store them in a cool, dry place until the next growing season.

Pests and Diseases

Queen Fabiola is largely pest-free, but in wet climates, applying a fungicide spray can help prevent mould or rot, especially if conditions are humid or the soil retains too much moisture.

Safety

Queen Fabiola is not known to be harmful if touched or ingested, making it a safe choice for gardens with pets or children. However, as with any plant, supervise pets and children around garden areas.

Supplied as dormant corms.

Additional information

Price Code

A – Pink Pack

Botanical Name

Triteleia laxa

Quantity in Pack

10 Bulbs

Flowering Time

Late Spring, Summer

Planting Time

Plant from March onwards

Growing Height

25-40 cm

Planting Depth

Plant corms 5-8 cm deep with the pointed side up. In warmer climates, plant at least 8 cm deep to protect them from heat and drying out.

Soil

Queen Fabiola can grow in most soils but prefers well-drained soil. Ensure good drainage by mixing in compost and well-aged manure. You can also add a complete organic fertiliser, such as blood and bone, to support strong growth and vibrant flowers.
For pots, use a well-draining potting mix and ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

How to Plant

Choose a sunny spot for optimal blooms, though it will also thrive in partial shade, especially in warmer climates or areas with intense sun. Ensure the soil has good drainage by mixing in compost and well-aged manure. You can also add a complete organic fertiliser, such as blood and bone, to support strong growth and vibrant flowers. Plant the corms 5–8 cm deep with the pointed side up. In warmer climates, plant them at least 8 cm deep to protect them from heat and drying out. Space corms 10 cm apart in the ground, or a few centimetres apart in pots. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and encourage root establishment. Keep the soil consistently damp but not waterlogged throughout the growing season. Add a 2–5 cm layer of mulch to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and protect the corms. For those in frost-prone climates, ensure to apply a thick layer of mulch to protect the corms during the colder months.

Watering

After planting, water well to settle the soil and encourage root establishment. During the growing period, water regularly to keep the soil consistently damp but not waterlogged, as the plant thrives in moist conditions while it’s actively growing. Once the plant enters its dormant phase, reduce watering and allow the soil to dry out slightly. It’s important to avoid letting the bulbs dry out completely, but they should be allowed to become dry enough that they don’t dessicate. This helps prevent rot, as bulbs are susceptible to excess moisture during dormancy. Ensure the soil is well-drained, especially in winter, to avoid waterlogging and ensure healthy growth year after year.

Fertilise

Top-dress with a complete fertiliser or bulb food every winter to replenish nutrients and prepare the corms for the next blooming period. If fertiliser hasn’t been applied during soil preparation, this annual step supports healthy growth. At the end of the blooming period, apply blood and bone to help the corms recover, store energy, and prepare for the next season. This is usually sufficient for supporting the plant, with no need for further fertilising unless the plant shows signs of needing extra care.

Pruning

Triteleia Queen Fabiola requires minimal pruning. Remove spent flowers and allow the foliage to naturally die back before trimming it to the base.

For wet winters, plant in well-drained raised beds, rock gardens, or pots to ensure good drainage and prevent rot. If frost-prone, apply mulch around the base for insulation. During the growing season, mulch helps keep the corms cool and maintains moisture, while good drainage is essential in humid areas. Raised beds, rock gardens, or pots reduce moisture buildup, and fungicide can help prevent mould in wet, humid conditions.

Once dormant, it is advisable for gardeners in regions with wet summers or excessively wet conditions to lift and store the corms after the foliage has died back in late summer. Queen Fabiola prefers to stay mostly dry during dormancy, so lifting helps prevent rot. For gardeners in drier conditions, the corms can be left in the ground or pots for many years. Look for signs of overcrowding, reduced blooms, or poor growth, which indicate the need for division. Lift and remove offsets in late summer or early autumn, then replant immediately or store them in a dry, airy place until the following autumn.

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