Chinese Lantern Lily, Christmas Bells
| When to Plant: | |
| Spring |
| Blooms: | |
| Late Spring to Early Summer |
| Light Requirements: | |
| Full Sun |
| Plant Height: | ||
| 20-30" | ||
| Hardiness Zones: | |
| Grow as Perennial in zones 8-11. Grow as Annual elsewhere. Find Your Zone |
| Planting Depth: | |
| 2-4" |
| Plant Spacing: | |
| 6-8" |
| Plant Type: | |
| Tuber |
Sandersonia is a wispy climbing plant that produces unique, lantern-shaped blooms that are hugely sought after in Asia for cut flower arrangements.
Sandersonia blooms at Christmas time in its native South Africa, lending to one of its common names, Christmas Bells.
Plant in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Sandersonia prefers full sun locations where they are sheltered from the wind.
The ideal soil is rich and porous and drains well, yet still holds enough water for the roots. If your soil is heavy clay and drains slowly, or very sandy and does not hold water, add organic soil amendments like peat moss or ground bark. Spread a 3-4 inch layer of soil amendment if needed and incorporate into the soil to a depth of 10 inches.
Plant tubers 2-4" deep and 6-8" apart. Cover with soil. Water thoroughly at planting. While actively growing, water frequently and thoroughly so that water will reach roots. Mulch to keep the soil cool and to prevent the soil from drying out.
Apply fertilizer before and after growing.
After frost has damaged the foliage, dig up tubers, dry, clean off foliage and store tubers in peat moss, dry sand or vermiculite at 60-65ºF during the winter. Replant in spring after all danger of frost has passed.
