Sparaxis, or Harlequin Flower, is a genus of summer-blooming, perennial bulbs containing 15 species of plants. All species grow during wet winter season, flower in the spring, and survive underground as dormant corms over the summer.

Plant in any well drained and relatively fertile soil, at approx 5cm deep and 10cm apart. Planting time is late late autumn or in spring after all signs of frost have passed. They will grow in almost any good soil but they will favour a warm, protected spot in the garden.

How To Propagate Sparaxis

1. Sow the seeds in a greenhouse during the early spring season using a light potting mix.
2. The seeds typically germinate within six weeks but provide sufficient ventilation as the seedlings might dampen off.

Sparaxis elegans – Cape buttercup Sparaxis elegans ranges from 10 to 30 cm in height. It has five to nine lance shaped leaves in a fan. Stems are simple and carry a spike of three to five flowers. These flowers are usually orange, salmon, or white, with a purplish center.

Harlequin Flower Mix (Sparaxis)

Plant sparaxis bulbs in the spring after the last freeze. Plant 5 inches deep and 2 to 3 inches apart in a full-sun location. According to the North Carolina Extension, sparaxis bulbs are damaged at 25 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, so protect garden bulbs from cold if you intend to save them for the next year.

Gardeners should plant Sparaxis bulbs after all frost is passed. A good test for soil readiness is to dig up a handful of soil and squeeze it; soil that falls apart easily is ready for planting while soil that sticks together needs another week or two of drying before it’s ready.

Also known as Wandflower, Harlequin Flowers are grown from corms, and each corm produces loose spikes of up to 5 star-shaped 2″ flowers. A South African native, it’s hardy in zones 9-10 and 7-8 with some winter protection. It naturalizes well and will spread over the years to form a richly colored mat.

Cultivation instruction Indoor Planting: For the best effect grow outside for summer colour. Plant outside: Sparaxis tricolour are easy to grow when planted in a sunny position and are ideal for growing in the rockery. They are also suited for borders and in free draining soil can be left undisturbed for many years.

It can be propagated by sparaxis and separation of corms from the parent tuber of an adult plant. But in this case, it will only bloom for 2 or 3 years after planting. Sparaxis is also propagated by seeds.

Sparaxis is a corm, or bulb forming plant, that usually grows to 2 feet high by 8 inches wide. Species of this plant are frost tender (classified as Tender III) and can be injured when temperatures drop below 25 degrees. All species grow during wet winter season, flower in the spring, and survive underground as dormant corms over the summer.

In 2006 Seeds of Happiness started out as leftover lumps of clay that Mark Borella made into little smiles to give out to friends who were going through hard times and need a little smile.

The most common and favorite gardeners types of sparaxis are as follows: Sparaxis tricolor, up to 50 cm (1.6 foot) – the most common species. You will have elegant flat flowers of various shades with a bright, contrasting middle. The stem of the flower is of equal length with xiphoid leaves gracefully framing the peduncle.