Growing Guides:
How to grow Dichelostemma
(Firecracker Flower)
Dichelostemma (Firecracker Flower) is a striking flower that makes a perfect addition to mixed herbaceous borders with its tall, exotic-looking blooms. Hugely attractive to butterflies and bees, this lovely plant also thrives well at the edges of ponds. Dichelostemma have corms rather than bulbs, although planting guidelines are almost the same as for planting bulbs.
Planting Dichelostemma bulbs:
Follow our simple step-by-step guide to planting Dichelostemma bulbs:
- Dichelostemma bulbs are planted In Autumn, before the ground freezes. Pick a spot with good drainage. Dichelostemma particularly like a shady location beneath deciduous trees.
- Dig a hole around 10cm deep (follow the general rule of thumb when planting bulbs and give the bulbs at least 2 times their height of soil above them), drop the bulb in, and cover with soil. Make sure you place the bulb the right way up - Dichelostemma corms / bulbs look like a miniature onion with a slightly pointy head - plant with the pointy head / spike pointing up.
- Leave approximately 10cm between each bulb. If you are planting in containers, you can space them a little closer together.
- After planting, water well so that the soil above the bulbs settles.
- Dichelostemma bulbs will flower in Spring. After the flowers die down, allow the plant to enjoy a rest period - there is no need to water much during this period. Leaves will also die back and at this point you can choose to tidy up the plant and remove the old leaves or just let nature take its course.
