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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Asphodelaceae (~Liliaceae) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Orange |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 4-5 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Bulbine frutescens 'Hallmark' (Orange Stalked Bulbine) - A succulent groundcover from the southern coast of South Africa north to Mozambique. It has narrow fleshy bright green foot-long leaves arranged in opposite rows to form an open rosettes to 18 inches tall and spreads by rhizomes to create 2 to 3 foot wide clumps. Orange flowers are 6-petaled and star-like with frilly yellow stamens form atop long stalks that rise above the foliage in the spring through the summer and often through to winter. Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and provide occasional to very little irrigation. Evergreen and hardy to 20 degrees F but its ability to freeze down and resprout from underground has some listing hardiness down to 10°F. This plant has a bloom period that extends into the summer along the coast but has somewhat of a summer dormant period in hot interior gardens then reblooms in the fall. Plants look tidier and may rebloom better if old flower stalks are removed after bloom. Some Bulbine seed about the yard but 'Hallmark' appears to be self-sterile as we have never seen Bulbine frutescens 'Hallmark' reseed if it is the only Bulbine plant in a garden but have seen seedlings when planted with the yellow selection and these seedlings in turn are variable in color. The name Bulbine comes from the Greek word 'bolbine' and Latin 'bulbus', a general word for a bulbous or onion-like plant but is somewhat misleading as these plants do not have a bulbous base. The specific epithet comes from the Latin word 'frutex' meaning "shrubby" and is in reference to the way this plant forms solid stands, looking much like a low shrub. Bulbine frutescens is sometimes commonly called Jelly Burn Plant as it contain glycoproteins, similar to many aloe species, and is touted for similar healing properties as Aloe vera such as to ease burns, rashes and itches. These properties have also caused it to be called cape balsam (from the Africaans name balsem kopieva) - other common names include snake flower, cat's tail and and geelkatstert. This cultivar was reportedly selected by Crassula expert Gordon Rowley from seedling plants from seed collected by Harry Hall in Johannesburg, South Africa (Hence the name "Hallmark"). Harry Hall (1906-1986), was a Kirstenbosch horticulturist in charge of succulent plants who discovered many South African plants. He is particularly noted for his exploration and discovery within the genus Euphorbia and his name is commemorated in the specific epithets of many succulent plant names. He was awarded a Fellow of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America (CSSA) in 1981. We first listed this excellent plant in our 1985 catalog and have grown it ever since. We also grow Bulbine frutescens 'Tiny Tangerine' which is slightly smaller and has paler flowers and the yellow Bulbine frutescens.
The information about Bulbine frutescens 'Hallmark' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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