Harlequin Flowers

by Valerie (June 25, 2000)
revised September 7, 2003

A particularly appropriate corm for this area is the harlequin flower (Sparaxis tricolor). It needs hot, dry weather and doesn't seem to freeze out, although a very late freeze in the spring can damage the new foliage. After obtaining several corms from a nursery, I've had to give them no special treatment and they come up every spring, bloom, then die back completely before summer starts. They grow very low and only get about four to six inches high. There are two color varieties and both have yellow centers. One is white and the other is red and black. They make a lovely border flower on the edge of the garden right by the rock barrier.