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| Category: Bulb/Tuber/Rhizome etc. |
| Family: Hyacinthaceae (~Amaryllidaceae) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Winter/Spring |
| Height: 3-4 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Albuca nelsonii (Natal Albuca) - A large evergreen bulbous perennial from Natal, South Africa with a partially exposed basal bulb and deep green lanceolate and fleshy leaves to 3' tall. In late winter into spring the flowers rise above foliage on slender 4 to 5 foot tall stalks. The large white flowers have 3 outer tepals that flare slightly outwards while the inner 3 remain together pointing upward, all with a distinct green midrib to each tepal. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun along the coast to half day sun or light shade. Requires only occasional irrigation in coastal gardens. Recommended for near frost free gardens but we have found it hardy without damage down to 25°F during our January 2007 cold spell with 3 nights in a row with this temperature. This plant comes from partially shaded areas in grassland and on coastal cliffs in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The leaves of the genus have a slimy sap when broken and in South Africa they have been called slime lily, and this plant, 'Nelson's slime lily' - a dreadful name for such an attractive and statuesque plant. The name Albuca is derived from the Latin words 'albus' meaning "white" or 'albicans' meaning becoming white in reference to the color of the flowers. The specific epithet honors William Nelson (1852-1922), a British nurseryman who first collected the species. Recent studies on the genus suggest that it could be combined with another South African genus, Ornithogalum, from which it differs in having erect inner tepals that hide the stamens and ovary. Our plants from seed received from Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden in 1989.
This information about Albuca nelsonii displayed is based on research conducted in our library and from reliable online resources. We will also note observations that we have made about it as it grows in the gardens in our nursery and those elsewhere, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others, and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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