How to Plant Freesia Bulbs

If you've ever smelled the fragrance of a generous bouquet of freshly cut freesia, you know the scent is difficult to forget. These small, delicate flowers come in a variety of colors and are often used alone in floral arrangements, or as contrasting blooms in a bouquet of other flowers, such as roses. Growing freesia from bulbs takes less time and is easier than nurturing them from seeds.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Locate the best spot for planting your freesia bulbs. Find an area in your yard or garden where the sun usually shines for at least eight to ten hours. Avoid poor-draining areas where water puddles stand more than five hours after heavy rainfall.

2. Place your freesia flower bulbs in the ground no more than 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches deep. Allow for at least 3 inches of space between each bulb. Before covering the bulbs with soil, make sure that the root end of the bulb is at the bottom of the hole, and the stem end (pointed part) is upright.

3. Water the newly-planted freesia bulbs, making sure that the ground is well soaked, but not flooded to the point where water is seen above the surface of the soil. Water for around three to five minutes (in well-draining soil).

4. Expect the first roots and small green shoots or sprouts in the fall. In winter, the plants will increase in height, and the first blooms will appear by spring.

5. Cut your mature freesia as often as needed for flower arrangements and bouquets to add color and fragrance to your home's interior décor. As long as the root systems of the plants remain intact, cutting won't harm or damage them.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have poor-draining soil and would still like to grow freesia outdoors, amend your soil with compost, ground tree bark, peat moss, small pebbles or other organic material. Remove 1 to 2 feet of soil and add a single, even layer of the chosen product (about 1 inch thick), followed by up to 3 inches of soil. Use a rake or hoe to mix the soil with the other material. Repeat until the area where you would like to grow freesia has been raised at least 2 to 3 inches above the surrounding ground, making sure that the soil has been well mixed with the additional material to improve drainage. Proceed to plant your freesia bulbs as indicated. When you notice that no new blooms are appearing on your plants, this is your signal that your freesias have ended their blooming cycle for the season. Resist the urge to cut away leftover foliage. If left alone, the leaves will continue photosynthesis, and will store energy and food in the bulbs beneath your plants for next year's growth. Continue to water the freesia plants as is recommended for your local area. Gardening experts in your region will have the best advice. In late summer, the leaves will turn yellow and begin to die back. This means the plant has entered a dormancy phase (i.e.---has stopped gathering energy through the process of solar photosynthesis). Prune away all leaves/foliage at this time. After several months of resting, your freesia will start a new growing cycle and more blooms will appear.

References

• Planting Freesia Bulbs and Helping Them Flower

Resources

• Learn More About Freesia Bulbs at The Gardeners' Network