Gloriosa superba

A tuberous, climbing perennial growing up to 4m tall.

This climbing perennial can get quite tall or stay short depending on its location. The leaves are long and thin with a tendril on the end to help with climbing. The flowers are proudced singly and are usually red and yellow with crisply waved margins through summer. There is a more pinky orange form also availble but seldomly seen.

Gloriosa thrives in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Best positioned by a tree or trellis where it can climb up.

The flame lily may be allowed to scramble up through trees. Alternatively, provide a trellis in a semi-shade area. Select a location that receives six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. In southern climates, plant in a location that allows the vines to grow in full sun while the roots of the plant remain shaded. Some protection from afternoon sun may be needed. Prepare the soil by tilling to a depth of 20cm and amending with generous amounts of organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure. Organic matter improves both drainage and aeration. Erect a 6 to 8 foot trellis for your Gloriosa lilies prior to planting. Check that it is secure under the weight of the growing climbing lilies, or place by a shrub that it can grow over.

The ideal time for planting Gloriosa lily is in the spring after the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Plant the lily tubers approximately 10cm from the trellis. Dig a hole to the depth of 5 - 10cm and lay the tuber on its side in the hole. Space the tubers 15 - 120cm apart to allow room for the mature plants to grow. Cover the tubers and gently press the soil down to remove air pockets.

Most climbers benefit from a generous layer of organic mulch. Planting success is often improved on clay soils by adding extra topsoil and forming raised beds. Incorporate coarse sand, bark and compost to improve soil structure. Unless the soil is very, wet water thoroughly, making sure that moisture penetrates to the depth of the tuber.

This plant can be grown from seed sown in September to October but may take up to four months to germinate. Seedlings should be planted straight out in the garden in an equal mix of good garden soil and compost.

Water the newly planted tuber to saturate the soil to a depth of 5 to 8cm to give your plant a good start. Keep the soil evenly moist until shoots appear in two to three weeks. Reduce watering to once or twice a week, or whenever the soil feels dry an inch below the surface. Gloriosa climbing lilies typically require an inch of rain a week and need supplemental watering during dry periods. If necessary, train the vines to climb the trellis by tying them to the trellis with soft plant ties.

Fertilise climbing lilies every two weeks after planting out with water-soluble fertiliser. This provides the nutrients needed to promote healthy blooming. The first summer and autumn after planting is critical for young plants, so water thoroughly during dry periods. Mulching helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds; organic materials such as sawdust and bark contribute to soil structure as they decompose. Keep mulching material away from plant stems. Climbing plants require the same type of maintenance as trees and shrubs, so apply a spring dressing (50g/m2) of general-purpose fertiliser. Sprinkle evenly and work into the top 2 to 3cm of the soil, taking care not to damage surface roots.

In summer it needs to be well-watered. Water should be withheld once the foliage begins to turn yellow in autumn. The tubers are prone to rot under moist conditions during the winter months. The tubers are brittle and fragile and need to be handled carefully and can only be lifted and split during the dormant period. Cut the vines back. Tubers can be lifted and stored in moist peat moss in a cool, dark place for the winter and replanted in the spring. Alternatively, they can be left to dry out on their own then re-planted.

It is thought that pollination is probably carried out by butterflies and sunbirds in its native South Africa.

African Garden

All parts of the plant but especially the tubers (swollen underground stems) are extremely poisonous and the ingestion of flame lily has caused many accidental deaths. Gloriosa superba is widely cultivated as an ornamental for its stunning flowers and is the national flower of Zimbabwe (where it is protected from illegal harvesting under the Parks and Wildlife Act).