Freesia Hybrid
About Freesia Hybrid
Freesia hybrid is an annual; plant growing from a bulb, with long thin leaves and fragrant flowers on a thin stems. This plant was developed in Italy but the two parent species are native to South Africa. They grow in coastal dunes, heathland, grassland & grassy woodland. They are found on roadsides, waste land, urban areas as they are able to grow on a wide range of soil types. This garden escapee displaces indigenous vegetation and invades roadsides and conservation reserves threatening the survival of rare native species, particularly ground orchids and grasses.
How it escapes
Freesia hybrid produces viable seed and spreads vegetatively by 'bulbs' (i.e. corms) and bulbils
The corms, bulbils and seeds are spread by road maintenance vehicles, in contaminated soil, and in dumped garden waste. Seeds and bulbils may also be spread by water and in mud.
How to keep it in your garden
Probably best to remove this plant if it appears in your garden. Keep it confined by cutting flowers before they set seed, cutting stems with bulbils attached and pull up additional corms. Dispose of plants and corms responsibly. Plant non-invasive varieties for spring annuals.