PANCRATIUM MARITIMUM

Description

In spring, enormous, frilly, very fragrant, rather daffodil-like flowers open over attractive, flat, blue-grey leaves. Found very rarely in the wild and mainly growing in sand on Mediterranean beaches, these plants will survive in a sheltered, well-drained, sandy soil in a UK garden, but are better enjoyed in a large pot. One of the world's most spectacular flowers, this gorgeous plant is classed as endangered, and as thus, is protected and must not be picked in the wild. These rarely-offered seeds were collected from cultivated plants.

Sowing Advice

Seeds may be sown at any time of the year into a well-drained gritty/sandy compost and covered about 5-10 mm deeply. Keep the pot moist at a temperature of between 10 and 20 degrees C in a well-lit position. Seeds should germinate within 2 to 6 weeks but may take much longer so do not discard the seed tray. Pot on small seedlings into 3 inch or 7cm pots until of a size suitable for final planting into a large pot or outside in warmer countries. They require very well-drained conditions as in the wild they live in almost pure sand.

Key Facts