Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Iridaceae

Genus:

Watsonia

Species:

Watsonia borbonica

USDA Symbol:

WABO

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

180 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

mar,apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

pink, white, rose

Wildlife Benefits

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Native to South African fynbos; resprouts from corms after fire and may show increased flowering post-burn.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

well-drained, sandy or loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to fynbos regions with nutrient-poor soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

21–60 days

Notes:

Sow seeds in fall or early spring; corms may bloom faster than seed-grown plants.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI