Ferraria Species, Black Flag, Spider Flower, Spinnekopblom, Starfish Lily

Ferraria crispa

Family
Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Ferraria (fer-RAY-ree-uh)
Species
crispa (KRISP-uh)
Synonym
Ferraria crispa subsp. nortieri
Ferraria major
Ferraria obtusifolia
Ferraria punctata
Ferraria vandermerwei
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Bloom Color
Pale Yellow
Brown/Bronze
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Bulbs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Suitable for growing in containers
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Mission Viejo, California

Richmond, California

San Jose, California

Egg Harbor City, New Jersey

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Gardener's Notes:

0
positive
3
neutrals
1
negative
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C
ROSLINDALE, MA | February 2016 | neutral

Also called spider flower and starfish lily.

This is hardy over much of the UK.

Native to Cape Province in ...Read More

U
Charlotte, NC | December 2010 | neutral

I have had good luck growing these plants but have yet to see one bloom. I have some flowering sized bulbs (about the size of a 50 cent p...Read More

M
Deer Park, TX (Zone 9a) | December 2007 | neutral

Cultivation:
Ferrarias are marginally frost hardy to frost tender and need to be overwintered indoors in cool climates. They are e...Read More

B
Carlisle, PA (Zone 6b) | June 2005 | negative

I won these bulbs on eBay a couple years ago & they come up every year but cannot get them to bloom. Any suggestions? The bulbs are get...Read More

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