Tritonia crocata aka Flame Freesia

Tritonia crocata is a corm-grown perennial in the iris family. Gardeners also know it as flame freesia. It comes from southwestern and southern Cape Province in South Africa. Its native region has a subtropical climate. In the southern Cape, it grows on dry clay flats and slopes. Plants For A Future also records its presence in France.

This plant has an upright form and sheds its leaves. Its erect leaves have a long, sword-like shape. Garden plants reach about 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres] tall. Their spread reaches about 0.3 feet [0.1 metres]. The RHS gives one year as the time to maturity. Spikes hold cup-shaped flowers above the leaves. These blooms are orange or orange-red, with yellow marks on their lower lobes. Each flower spans about 0.10–0.13 feet [0.03–0.04 metres]. Chicago Botanic Garden lists bloom from March through June.

Give this plant full sun and shelter from harsh exposure. The RHS lists south-facing and west-facing sites as suitable. It prefers soil that drains well, with an acid or neutral pH. Loam and sand are both suitable soil types. Under glass, use peat-free, loam-based compost with added sharp sand. Give plants full light in this setting. Water freely while plants make active growth. Reduce watering as the leaves fade after bloom. Keep the dormant corms warm and dry. Water sparingly after flowering until leaves return, and repot each year.

The RHS rates this plant H3 and calls it half-hardy. That rating suits coastal and other mild parts of Britain. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 8–10. The RHS suggests beds, borders, patios, and containers. It also lists courtyard, coastal, and informal garden settings. Chicago recommends it as a specimen plant. Plants For A Future suggests sunny woodland edges and hedgerows. No pruning is needed. Grow new plants from seed, or separate offsets during dormancy. The RHS reports few pest or disease problems.

Plants For A Future gives this species a low food-use rating. It reports that people use the flowers as a saffron substitute. The flowers add flavour and a yellow colour to food. The same source lists no known hazards or medicinal uses. Its lack of reported hazards does not establish safety for pets.