Freesias

I just bought 2 bags of freesias at WM for really cheap. Don't know anything about them as I have never grown them before. Recently on the Fragrant forum, I heard they are very fragrant so I wanted to try them. The bag says to plant in Spring for summer bloom but everything I have now read about them says they are a cool season bloomer and don't like heat. Well, it is hot here- LOL!!

Should I just store them in my fridge and wait to plant this fall?

This message was edited Mar 13, 2006 12:10 PM

No, go ahead and plant them. Even if you plant them at the wrong time, the worst that will happen is that they won't bloom this year for you, but will bloom next year right on time. So mark the location, just in case.

That's what happened to me, and they have been fabulous ever since. The one thing I think you need to be careful with is drainage. They need good drainage when dormant, or like all bulbs, they'll rot.

The perfume is divine, and they make fabulous cut flowers. I find the yellow ones much more vigorous than the other colors. Singles have stronger scent than double flowering types.

Thank you so very much for the advice! Was beginning to think no one here at DG grew them- LOL!!
If I can pick your brain a bit longer: do they seem to fizzle out in the heat? I read they don't like it hot but I noticed your zone is much warmer than mine. If they grow well for you, then they should do OK for me also. Will they thrive in part-shade or do I need to grow in full sun?

Thanks again!

I grew a bunch in my greenhouse for a few years. I love the scent! And now I've got several pots going
thanks to a really great deal a fellow DG'er got at one of the big boxes (Home Depot???). I'm waiting for
my new batch to bloom now. I sure wish I could grow them outdoors.
Tam