These spiky flowers offer versatile design applications.
by Steven W. Brown, AIFD
1 TALL AND HANDSOME. Watsonia,
pronounced wat-SOH-nee-uh, is a close relative to Gladiolus. Commonly
known as bugle lilies, Watsonias have attractive linear foliage and
gorgeous spikes of cup- or bugle-shaped florets. They grow from corms,
each of which sends up one straight, tall flower spike to a height of 2
feet to 4 feet. Sometimes there are short branches closely pressed
against the main axis of the flower stalk. Each Watsonia spike can have
up to 50 densely packed florets.
2 DOCTOR DOCTOR. The genus Watsonia
was named in 1752 by Philip Miller of London’s Chelsea Gardens after his
friend Sir William Watson (1715-1787), a physician and naturalist.
Watsonia is one of the largest genera in the Iridaceae (Iris family).
Other members of this family include Irises, Gladioli, Freesias,
Crocosmias, Crocuses and Ixias.
3 AROUND THE CAPE. There are more
than 50 species and countless hybrids of Watsonias. Most are native to
the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape of South Africa.
4 NICE WEATHER. The flowering season
for Watsonias is from March through September. Watsonias are most
readily available from domestic sources.
5 BUY THE BEST. Purchase Watsonias
when the lower florets are showing color. If florets are too open,
damage may occur during handling and processing. It’s better to buy
early and develop the florets on site. Avoid purchasing bunches that
show any sign of yellowing or rot.
6 KEEP 'EM UP. If Watsonias are
shipped horizontally, they will show a geotropic (against gravity)
response and begin to curve. Keep them upright to ensure straighter
7 DECORATOR COLORS. The colors of
Watsonias vary. Many cultivars have been developed in flesh pink, old
rose, brick red, salmon and dusty pink. The centers of the flowers often
are marked with magenta and white. There also are dwarf forms with pink
or white flowers.
8 PROCESS FOR LIFE. Process
Watsonias immediately upon arrival in the shop. Cut at least 1 inch off
stems with a sharp knife or pruner, and remove lower foliage that will
fall below the water line. Dip or place the stems into a properly
prepared hydration solution, then place them into a warm flower-food
solution. Allow flowers to hydrate in a floral cooler at 36 F to 46 F
for at least two hours before designing with or selling them. Watsonias
are ethylene sensitive, so make sure your flowers have been treated with
an ethylene inhibitor at the grower level or during transportation.
9 A LONG STINT. When properly
processed, Watsonias have a potential vase life of seven to 14 days.
Remove faded florets and faded or yellowed foliage to ensure a fresh
appearance. Arrangements should be placed in a cool area away from
drafts, sun and heat sources. Be careful not to store Watsonias near
fruit or other sources of ethylene.
10 DESIGN USES. Watsonias can be
used in a wide range of designs including Western-line and parallel
arrangements. A few stems in a vase can make a bold statement.
Steven W. Brown, AIFD, is a professor and department chair of
horticulture and floristry at City College of San Francisco with 27
years of consulting and educational experience in the floral industry.
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