Freesia (Freesia × hybrida) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Freesia is a cultivated grown in mild regions of the United States and sold as a cut flower. Its fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers line one side of the stem and come in yellow, white, pink, and other colors.

Appearance

Growth form: Narrow leaves rise from a corm below ground.
Flowers: Scented, funnel-shaped flowers line one side of the stem; cultivated forms come in yellow, white, red, pink, and other colors.

Look-alikes

Garden gladiolusGladiolus × hortulanus

Garden gladiolus has a taller, upright spike with large flowers opening up the stem. Freesia has smaller, usually fragrant blooms arranged mostly along one side of a slender stem.

Why they get mixed upBoth have narrow leaves and several showy flowers on one stem.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Gardens
Containers
Cut flower beds
Range: This garden hybrid is cultivated in the United States; the Freesia lineage comes from southern Africa.
Preferred conditions: It prefers bright light and soil that drains freely. Its are tender in freezing winters.

Growing it

Care: In colder places it can be grown in pots protected from frost.
Propagation: Small new corms form beside the old one and can be separated when dormant.

Name and classification

About the name: Freesia × hybrida is also called Freesia × kewensis. Garden freesias include other crosses, so a flower photo alone may not identify this named hybrid.
Varieties and forms: Cultivated freesias include single and double blooms in many colors.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: Their lasting blooms make freesias popular for bouquets.

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