Crimson Flag Lily Hesperantha coccinea 'Wilfred H. Bryant'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

Hesperantha coccinea 'Wilfred H. Bryant', commonly known as the crimson flag lily, is an attractive flowering plant noted for its vividly colored blooms. The striking flowers are a rich, deep red or crimson hue, which stand out beautifully against the green foliage. Each blossom has a star-shaped form, with pointed petals that splay outward, giving it an open and inviting appearance. The flowers are typically arranged in clusters, lending a dense, grouped effect that can be quite eye-catching in a garden setting. The leaves of the crimson flag lily are slender and sword-shaped, creating a graceful, upright stance. These leaves are a bright to dark green color, providing a lush backdrop that further accentuates the brightness of the flowers. As a rhizomatous perennial, this plant sprouts from underground stems, with the foliage and flowering stems emerging directly from the ground. Overall, the charm of the crimson flag lily 'Wilfred H. Bryant' lies in its striking crimson blooms and the elegant simplicity of its foliage, which together, create a vibrant and attractive display in any suitable garden environment. Despite the exclusion of its dimensions in this description, its visual impact is not lessened, with its color and form being the key elements that draw attention and admiration.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Crimson Flag, River Lily, Kaffir Lily
- Common names
  Schizostylis coccinea 'Wilfred H. Bryant'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The most common common name for Hesperantha coccinea 'Wilfred H. Bryant' is crimson flag. There is limited specific information regarding the toxicity of this plant to humans. As with many plants, it is always prudent to exercise caution and prevent ingestion, particularly in children, as individual reactions to plant substances can vary. If the plant is ingested and symptoms of poisoning appear, medical attention should be sought. Symptoms, though not well-documented for this particular cultivar, could potentially include gastrointestinal upset or allergic reactions similar to those of other plants.
- To pets
  The most common common name for Hesperantha coccinea 'Wilfred H. Bryant' is crimson flag. There is limited specific information regarding the toxicity of crimson flag to pets. As with any non-food plant, it is prudent to prevent pets from ingesting this plant. If a pet does ingest crimson flag and exhibits symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual behavior, it is critical to consult a veterinarian. It's important to be cautious and keep plants that are potentially toxic out of reach of pets.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Red
- Height
  2 feet (0.6 meters)
- Spread
  1 foot (0.3 meters)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  7
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant red flowers to gardens, providing color from late summer into autumn.
- Wildlife Attraction: Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, supporting biodiversity.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it is drought tolerant and requires minimal care.
- Versatile Planting: Suitable for borders, cutting gardens, and can be naturalized in informal settings.
- Long Blooming: Offers a lengthy flowering period compared to some other garden plants.
- Cutting Flower: Stems with blooms are ideal for floral arrangements and bouquets.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Crimson flag lily petals can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, offering a subtle hue to textile projects.
- The long, sturdy stems of the plant can provide structural support for other, more delicate plants in a garden setting.
- Florists may use dried crimson flag lily blooms in flower arrangements to provide an interesting texture and color contrast.
- The plant could be grown alongside vegetables as a companion plant, possibly deterring certain pests with its scent or flower structure.
- Fallen petals of the crimson flag lily can be incorporated into potpourri mixes for a decorative touch in homes.
- Pressed and framed crimson flag lily flowers could be used for botanical art or educational materials in horticulture.
- Crimson flag lily's distinctive shape and color make it useful in photography projects or workshops focused on plant and flower photography.
- Its robust nature makes the crimson flag lily suitable for planting in public spaces where low maintenance but high visual impact is desired.
- The plant can be used in natural barriers or garden borders with its dense growth habit providing spatial definition to garden areas.
- Crimson flag lily seeds can be a food source for birds, integrating the plant into a wildlife-friendly garden design.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The River Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The River Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Determination: The robust nature and bright, striking flowers of the River Lily symbolize a person's determination to thrive despite challenges.
- Elegance: With its graceful stems and delicate blossoms, the River Lily represents elegance and a refined beauty in the plant world.
- Transformation: Blooming in the latter part of the year when many plants are fading, the River Lily signifies transformation and the ability to bring about change when least expected.
- Resilience: Able to grow in variable conditions along rivers and streams, the River Lily is a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the face of fluctuating environments.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Crimson Flag Lily should be watered regularly, especially during its blooming season from summer through fall. It prefers consistently moist soil, so watering once or twice a week may be necessary, depending on the climate and weather conditions. When watering, thoroughly soak the soil to encourage deep root growth, using approximately one gallon of water per plant each time. During winter, reduce watering as the plant goes dormant, and ensure the soil does not become waterlogged to prevent root rot.
Light
Crimson Flag Lily thrives best in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant is one where it can receive at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. If grown indoors, position it by a south or west-facing window where it can bask in abundant natural light without being exposed to harsh midday sun.
Temperature
The Crimson Flag Lily prefers temperatures between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of around 32 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from frost. The plant is not heat-tolerant and may struggle if temperatures consistently exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pruning
The Crimson Flag Lily should be pruned to remove spent flower stems and dead or damaged foliage, which encourages new growth and maintains the plant's appearance. Pruning is best done after flowering, typically in late fall. Deadheading throughout the blooming season can also promote more blooms.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for Hesperantha coccinea, commonly known as Scarlet River Lily, should be fertile, well-draining, and loamy. Incorporate organic matter such as compost or peat moss into the soil to enhance fertility and drainage. The ideal soil pH for Scarlet River Lily ranges from neutral to slightly acidic, around 6.5 to 7.0.
Repotting
Scarlet River Lily, or Hesperantha coccinea, typically does not require frequent repotting and should be repotted only when it has outgrown its current container. This may occur every 2 to 3 years, depending on the growth rate and size of the plant.
Humidity & Misting
Scarlet River Lily, known as Hesperantha coccinea, prefers a moderate humidity level, but as a garden plant, it generally adapts to the outdoor humidity levels found in its growing environment without the need for additional humidity control measures.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
- Outdoor
  Plant in partial shade, ensure moist, well-drained soil.
- Hardiness zone
  7-10 USDA
Life cycle
Schizostylis coccinea 'Wilfred H. Bryant', commonly known as Crimson Flag or Kaffir Lily, begins its life as a seed that germinates in damp, well-draining soil, usually in late winter or early spring. After seedling emergence, the plant grows into a clump-forming perennial, with narrow, grass-like leaves that persist through the growing season. During summer, energy is accumulated in the underground corms preparing for the flowering season. In late summer to fall, flower stalks bearing bright crimson, star-shaped blooms on spikes emerge and can last until early winter, attracting pollinators. Post-blooming, the plant usually goes dormant in winter, although in milder climates some foliage may remain green. Each year, the plant can spread through division of the corms and self-seeding, gradually forming larger clumps or colonies in favorable conditions.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring
- The most popular method of propagation for Hesperantha coccinea 'Wilfred H. Bryant', commonly known as Crimson Flag or River Lily, is by division. This process is ideally carried out in spring after the risk of frost has passed. It involves gently lifting the plant from the soil and carefully separating the rhizomes, ensuring that each division has at least one or two growing points. These divisions should then be replanted at a depth of about 3 inches (approximately 7.5 cm) and spaced roughly 12-18 inches (about 30-45 cm) apart. The soil should be kept moist to encourage root establishment. This simple method efficiently multiplies the number of plants and helps to rejuvenate older clumps that may have become overcrowded, thus promoting a more vigorous growth and better floral display in the proceeding seasons.