Freesia Facts
Freesia Facts
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| Interesting Freesia Facts: |
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| Freesia develops erect, slightly branched stem that can reach 4 to 16 inches in height. |
| Freesia develops from the swollen, conically-shaped underground stem, called corm, which looks like solid bulb. |
| Freesia has long, sword-shaped, narrow leaves. They are arranged in the form of upright tufts (that can reach up to 12 inches in height). Leaves are light green in color, until the autumn, when they start to wilt (change color into yellow) and die (all parts of the plant above the ground die before winter). |
| Freesia produces 5 to 10 (usually 8) funnel-shaped flowers arranged in the form of one-sided spike on top of the flowering stalk. Flowers are oriented upwards because flowering stem bends horizontally after formation of the flowers. Flowers usually last 7 days. Freesia can produce single or double blooms. |
| Freesia can produce white, yellow, orange, pink, mauve, purple, red, lavender or bi-colored flowers. They emit sweet, citrusy or soap-like scent. Intensity of aroma depends on the color. Pink and red freesia (the brightest varieties) emit the strongest scent. |
| Freesia blooms during the spring. It requires temperature below 21 degrees of Celsius for the successful formation of flowers. Showy, strongly scented flowers attract bees which are responsible for the pollination of this plant. |
| Fruit of freesia is warty capsule filled with shiny, roundish seed. |
| Freesia propagates via seed and division of corms. |
| Freesia is named after dr. Friedrich Freese, German physician who studied these plants. |
| Some of the most popular varieties of freesia are Allure, Demeter, Golden Wave, Mirabel, Snowdon and Welkin. |
| Narcissi and daffodils should not be mixed with freesia because they release substances that shorten the vase life of freesia. Under optimal conditions (water filled with special type of nutrients), freesia can remain fresh from 10 to 14 days after removal from the stem. |
| Because of the small size of its flowers and their delicate appearance, freesia is very popular and often used for the preparation of wedding bouquets. Freesia is also used for the celebration of the 7th wedding anniversary. |
| Freesia is used in the cosmetic industry for the preparation of soaps, lotions, shampoos, hand creams, scented oils and perfumes. |
| In the language of flowers, freesia symbolizes innocence, friendship and thoughtfulness. |
| Freesia is perennial plant (life span: more than 2 years). |
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