Freesia
Name: After Dr Friedrich Heinrich
Theodor Freese, a German physician.
Facts: Freesias are among
the most popular and widely grown cut flowers in the world,
with over 110 million stems sold in the
UK each year. In a recent F & PA survey over half the respondents
rated them as one of their favourite flowers.
Availability: Although available
all year their peak period is spring.
Origin: South Africa,
first imported to Europe at the end of the 19th century.
Colour:
Wide range including yellows, red, pinks and white.
Varieties:One
of the nicest varieties is "Ballerina",
which look like elegant dancers.
Family: Freesia belong
to the Iridaceae family, including iris.
Care Tips: Buy
them with at least one flower open on the stem. Make sure
they have plenty of water and
never let
the stem
ends dry out. Pinch out the topmost buds and remove
the old flowerheads
to encourage new ones to open. Keep away from fruit,
vegetables, and excess heat, as they are very sensitive
to the ethylene
gas produced.
Facts: Unlike most other flowers,
where the white forms smell most strongly, if you want highly
scented
freesia
look for
pink and red varieties.
History: Almost unknown
until the 1950's it is now one of the UK's favourite flowers.
