Hesperantha coccinea 'Red Dragon'

About this cultivar:

Hesperantha coccinea 'Red Dragon' is a pretty clump-forming perennial with sword-like, bright green leaves. Dark red flowers on stiff stems from late summer onwards, looks nice with the sun behind it. This variety appears to manage with less moist soil.

• Position: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil: Almost any soil, grows well in Ballyrobert
• Flowers: August, September, October, November
• Other features: Grows well in Ballyrobert
• Hardiness: Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!
• Habit: Clump forming
• Foliage: Semi evergreen
• Height: 60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 ft)
• Spread: 30 - 60 cm (1 - 2 ft)
• Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
• Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
• Colour: Green, red
• Goes well with: -

About this genus:

Hesperantha is a genus of flowering plants in the Iris family (Iridaceae) that used to be called Schizostylis. The genus name is derived from the Greek words hesperos, meaning "evening", and anthos, meaning "flower". 

There are approximately 79 species, mostly native to southern Africa, but with four species reaching tropical Africa. All except one grow from corms.

The synonym Schizostylis is widely used in horticulture for the single rhizomatous species S. coccinea, widely cultivated as a garden flower, and with numerous cultivars. 

Hardy plants with us, they like moisture but they'll grow almost anywhere that isn't a dark room or a swimming pool. They make excellent cut flowers. These semi-evergreen bulbs promise to ease the sadness that comes at summer’s end by offering a burst of fresh autumn colour - I've seen these in flower on Christmas day. My father loves the pink cutivars in autumn - I hate pink in autumn and will only tolerate red or yellow flowers! Make up your own mind!