Ferraria crispa
“Spider Iris”

If you’re into freaky flowers, this bulb is for you! It looks like something from under the sea, like the edges of the petals are covered with barnacles. Plus, the crinkly texture and the flower shape remind me of a starfish. Flower color can be variable - some are a rich, chocolate brown with yellow petal edges, others are creamy-green with touches of blue. The plant is robust, reaching 1.5’ tall and wide with 1.5" blooms. Most of our plants seem to be the green-flowered form, which seem to be more fragrant than the brown. A word about the fragrance-some people think it has an unpleasant odor but I think it is one of the yummiest fragrances ever! And several people here at the nursery back me up - it smells just like vanilla! Being from South Africa this bulb appreciates a Summer dry period and is best grown in a pot since it needs good drainage.

Kelly Kilpatrick
Horticulturalist