The name Hesperantha means 'evening flower' and the genus
comprises 65 species which are distributed through both the summer
and winter rainfall areas of South Africa. The river lily Hesperantha
coccinea is a species from the summer rainfall area and is widely
distributed through the eastern provinces of the country. The species
name coccinea means 'scarlet' and refers to the bright red
flowers produced by this species. Until fairly recently this species
was known by its old name Schizostylis coccinea.
It is a marvellous, water- loving, perennial bulbous plant. It
occurs naturally in saturated soils on stream banks growing in full
sun. Although the flowers are normally bright red, there are also
pink and white forms.
The flowers are borne in profusion in summer during the warm and
wet months between December and April. Hesperantha coccinea
is a popular garden in the United Kingdom and Europe. It is also
a good cut flower plant. The flowers are pollinated by a large butterfly
(Aerpetes) and long proboscid flies.
Growing Hesperantha coccinea
river lily is fast growing and can be propagated easily from seed
or by splitting the clumps. Seeds can be sown during the early months
of spring from late August until early November. Seed can be sown
directly in the flower bed or in seed trays on a suitable seedling
medium and should be kept well watered. The best time to split and
transplant plants is from January to April.
This attractive garden subject should be grown in full sun in compost-enriched
soil and ideally should be planted at the edge of a pond or in some
other area where the roots are constantly in water. It can also
be planted in a pot, submerged in water up to soil level. This species
is a frost hardy, low maintenance plant and will seed itself around
the wetter areas of your garden. The river lily forms dense clumps
and given a few years will create a stunning display in the garden
when in flower.
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden