|
Libertia peregrinans (Orange Libertia) – An interesting and colorful rhizomatous perennial with stiffly upright foliage to just under 2 feet tall. The leaves are green in the center and bright orange along the margins. Lightly fragrant, pure white blooms on branched stems (shorter than the leaves) appear in the spring.
Plant is sun or light shade where it has moderate water needs, and is hardy to about 15 degrees F. It slowly forms colonies by rhizomes (which distinguishes it from the solitary Libertia ixioides). This plant makes a statement and is particularly striking when it is backlit.
Libertia peregrinans grows naturally throughout much of the North and South Islands of New Zealand and on Stewart and Chatham Islands where it is found in coastal lowlands, dune swales, bogs and swamp margins. The name for the genus honors the Belgian botanist and mycologist Marie-Anne Libert (1782–1865) (also referred to as Anne-Marie Libert), one of the first women plant pathologists. The specific epithet comes from the Latin word 'peregrinantis' that means "traveler" or "to wander" in reference to the rhizomatous spreading nature of this plant. We have grown this interesting and attractive plant since 1996.
The information displayed on this page about Libertia peregrinans is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
|
