Blue Sceptre – 5 Seeds

Blue Sceptre is a member of the Iris family. It grows wild along the lower mountain slopes of the southwestern Cape. The plants form thick clumps of long strap-shaped evergreen leaves, which stand upright to 1.5 meters. The flowers are formed along the top part of the stem, tightly arranged on little branches forming small bunches of buds.

There are a few hundred flowers along each stem, but they open only a few at a time and last for less than a day. The 6 bright blue petals of each flower open wide, creating a flat saucer of about 25 mm across with the 3 yellow anthers and sword-shaped stigma in the center. By the afternoon the open flowers start to wilt and close with the petals twisting around each other. The flowers are pollinated by pollen-collecting bees that are active early in the day. The plants are attractive throughout the year with evergreen leaves in neat clumps and intense blue flowers from October to November.

Common names: blue sceptre (Eng.); blousuurkanol (Afr.)

Growing Blue Sceptre

• The plants require full sun to semi-shade and a rich soil that is well-drained, but not too dry and sandy.
• During the winter and spring the plants require plenty of water.
• The best time to sow is in autumn. The seeds are sown in seed trays filled with a well-drained potting soil.
• After sowing, the seeds should be lightly covered with soil, watered well and placed in the shade.
• Germination is usually very good and occurs within a month.
• The small seedlings can be potted and grown-on in a well-drained, rich medium.
• Keep the ground moist until the plants are established.