If you have not grown Tigridia Pavonia, commonly known as shell or tiger flower, you have a treat in store.
A semi-tropical plant from Mexico and Chile, it does well in Mid-America gardens, planted in groups for summer display much as tulips are used in the spring.
There are many species, but Tigridia Grandiflora is the form most used in gardens.
Tigridia’s Features
Colors run from white to yellows, orange, shades of rose, and striking red. The 5- to 7-inch in diameter flowers have three petals with a spotted or banded cup in the center and last just one day.
However, each sheath has several buds, which will give a lasting display from July until frost.
The foliage is short, though strong, with saber-like leaves that may grow to 18” inches with flowers several inches above.
Planting Tigridias
Tigridias are usually grown from bulbs set 4” to 6” inches deep (they are not particular) in rich, moist soil and 8” inches apart in the sun.
The bulbs make a peculiar carrot-like root below the bulb when first planted, which is their “water tank” for the dry days of summer.
Plant only when the soil is warm in spring with a temperature of 60 degrees or more.
In any good garden soil, well-drained and rich in food with a light mulch later on and moisture as needed, tigridias should produce more blooms per season than any other known bulb.
May Be Grown From Seed
Tigridias may be grown from their radish-like seed in flats as one would handle any coarse seed.
They germinate readily and can be transplanted to nursery rows in the vegetable garden for cultivation after a few weeks.
Even the seedlings grow in water tanks and, with good care, should bloom in the second season.
After The First Hard Frost
Dig the bulbs carefully to avoid injuring the water tanks, though these have probably been absorbed on older bulbs. Cut tops back to within one inch of the bulb top.
Store deeply in damp sand or peat moss immediately, at a cool temperature (as near 40 degrees as possible), away from mice. If they are allowed to dry out at any time, much of their vitality is lost.
Tigridias may also be propagated by bulb increase. Do not separate the bulbs until you are ready to plant them in the spring. If divided in the fall, they will decay.
44659 by Mrs. Forrest Huss