310 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



FREESIAS 



460. Botanical classification. Order, Iridacese ; genus, 

 Freesia (origin of name unknown) ; species, refracta alba 

 (Fig. 32). 



461. Botanical characters. Freesias are low-growing, 

 annual plants with narrow leaves. From between them, 

 a slender peduncle arises, and bears at the top from five 

 to seven white or pale yellow, tubular flowers. The 

 flowers are spread along a jointed axis which is bent back- 

 wards almost at right angles to the vertical peduncle. 

 They have a strong fragrance quite unlike that of any 

 other flowers. 



Habitat. Cape of Good Hope. 



462. Culture. Freesias are much forced for cut- 

 flowers, and they are also excellent for indoor boxes in 

 sunny windows, or may be grown along the borders of 

 carnation benches. They may be had in flower from 

 Christmas until June, by successive plantings from August 

 until February. For the best results, the largest bulbs 

 should be planted as early as August. It is not necessary 

 to place them in a cool, dark cellar or in a frame to develop 

 the root system. They may be started into growth at 

 once in a temperature of from 55 to 60. Freesias are 

 not suited for outdoor culture. 



