FREESIA

Description

This popular flower’s unusual silhouette features a row of brilliant blossoms growing to one side, like a waving flag. The botanical term for this growth pattern, of several flowers attaching separately to the same stem, is “sessile (blooms all in a row) inflorescence (group of blossoms).”

The individual blossoms are funnel-shaped or tubular in most hybrids, though there are also double- and flat-blossomed cultivars. Blossoms may reach ¾–1½" (2–4 cm) in diameter. Freesia flowers have a six-tepal blossom structure, which means that they have three true petals and three matching sepals (outer, protective “leaves”), making the flowers look like they have six petals.

The 12–18" (30–45 cm) stems are loosely branched, with one or more side stems. The plant grows from a cone-shaped corm, amid a 4–12" (10–30 cm) fan of flat, spiky leaves.

Cultivars that are commonly used by floral designers are usually complex hybrids of several Freesia species, which offer a vast array of colors and sizes. Freesia flowers are known for their strong citrusy-sweet fragrance, which is stronger in pink and red cultivars.

Colors: Pink, mauve, red, orange, gold, yellow, purple, white, ivory

Special Care

Select straight stems with at least seven buds each and only the first few open. Freesia flowers are sensitive to both fluoride and ethylene, so use non-fluoridated water throughout the entire preparation process. Recut stems as soon as possible and hydrate in a solution with an anti-ethylene agent as well as a sugar-based preservative. The sugar will provide the energy to maximize bud development and flowering.

To make the most of the the plant's relatively short vase life, try to use them immediately.

tore for no longer than three days at 36–39°F (2–4°C).

Avoid mixing Freesia stems with freshly-cut Narcissus, whose sap is toxic to them. Narcissus stems that have been processed and had their slimy sap rinsed off may be used, however. (See “Narcissus” for instructions.)

Fun Facts:

• One of the top 10 best-selling florist flowers worldwide.

• Some floral experts believe that Freesia flowers give off a burst of ethylene as a stress response to being cut; so much that it will kill the first blossom on each stem. So take care not to cut Freesia stems unless absolutely necessary; just place them directly into water and flower food in the vase.

• There are between 16 and 20 species of Freesia, with more than 300 hybrids. Most are native to Cape Province, South Africa, with the others scattered northward as far as Sudan.

• Freesia plants are highly prized for use in the fragrance, cosmetic and aromatherapy industries, and much imitated with synthetic blends.

• Freesia is the 7th wedding anniversary flower.

• They are named for a German botanist and doctor named Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese, who brought Freesia flowers home from a trip to South Africa in the mid-1800s. The first published mention of the genus was in 1866.

• A member of the Iridaceae (iris) family, Freesia plants are related to Iris, Crocus and Gladiolus plants.