Schizostylis Coccinea Major
Schizostylis Coccinea Major is a total eye catcher in the garden at a time when perhaps, you think its all over. Possibly the star of all the Autumn flowers, it is a vigorous clump forming perennial with erect sword shaped leaves and single red flowers.
Flowering period can be from September through till November, even in our cooler Aberdeen climate, although this year the first flowers did not show until the second week of October.
All varieties are said to have been cultivated from a single South African species. They are suitable for growing at the front of a herbaceous border or at the base of a south facing wall. Schizostylis is also a great plant for the unheated greenhouse where it will flower continually through most of the Winter.
This one in our front garden was planted in a north west facing border right in front of a couple of fairly tall conifers. Everything about this is wrong. First of all Schizostylis is said to dislike a position where the soil dries out in Summer, well as you can imagine these trees make great demand on the available moisture. Also they are said to grow well in a south facing position, or at least where sun shines most of the day. Our plant has been in this less sunny spot for seven years, it hasn’t flowered profusely every year, but generally does pretty well.
This year in spite of being a little later to bloom, it is outstanding with seven stems on the one plant. I reckon the times when it was not so floriferous were years when rainfall was less and I was also not so fussy about keeping it well watered. It is also said that the flowers can get damaged with the frost. I have found after a frosty spell in November when the stems have drooped they do in fact recover fully when the temperature rises a little. Some years flowers have continued in to December.
The most important point to remember when planting Schizostylis is to make sure you plant in a position where they do not dry out, water copiously in Summer. In spite of this love of water it must also be free draining as they cant stand being waterlogged in Winter.
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Height – 50/60cm
Position – safest in full sun
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This is another Schizostylis (Mrs Heggarty) which we had in the back garden a few years ago. It is every bit as hardy as major, perhaps even a little later in flowering. I have seen it suggested that this one can grow to a height in excess of 3ft, never grew taller than 30″ in our garden. Plants which have been in the garden for a number of years become reluctant to flower leaving you with a big clump of strappy leaves and not much else. If you find this happening, simply lift your plant and divide, preferably in Spring.
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Last week I was showing what was still in flower in the garden in early November. We have had a touch of frost since then. Interest now is all to do with leaves and structure.
The Aucuba (spotted Laurel) is a firm favourite of ours. Seems to be getting to a situation where if we cant come up with anything else in goes a spotted laurel. Have to take care regarding this.
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Brunnera Jack Frost planted in late Spring is still looking not bad, I wonder if it will give a show of flowers next year.
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Wont be so very long before the Hakonechloa goes to sleep for the Winter. In the meantime, still hanging in there.
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Holly Golden King is all about year round effect. This is another evergreen which is to be found in several spots in our garden.
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The Acer Palmatum Atropurpureum still hanging on to its leaves in November 12th.
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The Rowan tree Joseph Rock has been smothered with its yellow berries this year. When the birds have feasted on the red berries of the other Rowans they then turn on Joseph Rock. I counted twelve blackbirds on it the other day, ah the simple things in life. See what Donna had to say at garden walk .
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I think Skimmia Japonica is if anything more attractive in winter when the flower buds are developing.
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This simple variegated ivy would improve the look of the rather ugly wall if I were to plant a few more.
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This Pieris above has been in the front garden for about 15 years. It is my favourite of the ones which we have. It really deserves a place in my plant profiles, however this is another plant which I cant trace the name of. The white flowers are extremely profuse in the Spring. Pruning back the new growth in Summer seems to encourage the formation of these flower buds. The shrub is no more than 42 inches high 105cm and maybe much the same in width. See how tightly packed the leaves are on this one and they are smaller than those which are on many of the other pieris shrubs. Also the reddish flower buds are very striking at this time of year. Picture taken on 12th November. I would be more than pleased to hear suggestions. I don’t think it is Compacta as I am sure it has greenish flower buds.
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Definitely the Simple Things. Thanks for the linking love Alistair. I won’t be telling Myra 🙂 . I have to admit, the simple things have been a bit out of touch lately because work has been dusk to dawn. I so like the simple time to visit blogs and that has been lessened as of late. Can you believe I was at the farm today making Christmas wreaths? Seems so soon, but the people swarm the place after Thanksgiving day. I am glad I got to stop in. I love berries in the landscape and your post was berrylicious.
Phew, glad you are not telling, Myra stop looking over my shoulder when I am blogging.
They look marvelous!
I love the watermelon red of the Schizostylis. But if it doesn’t have a common name I think you should make one up Alistair because the formal name sounds vaguely rude. (Would make a pretty good swear word if you aren’t in a hurry.) I have some of that pretty grass– I call it Pajama Grass because of the stripes. Your gardens still have a lot of beauty to offer.
Linnie, it has to be something very very bad before I swear, like, maybe, over filling the bird feeders.
Hi Al,
I’m loving your Kaffir lily and am very tempted to get a couple to add some interest to the garden. The problem here though is that much of the garden is heavy clay soil so I’m not so sure it’ll do well here 🙁
Liz, hmm, thinking it wouldn’t work
Hi Alastair, that Kaffir lily is certainly an attractive, useful and hardy plant, even though its scientific name sounds like a serious mental illness. cheers, catmint
catmint, as well as my paranoia, I think I may also have this schiyostilissses thingy.
you have some beautiful foliage Alistair, I love foliage as much as flowers, foliage lasts longer, the rabbits ate my brunnera jack frost but not the variageted ivy which is a cutting from my mum’s old garden, I then took more cuttings from it, it is growing slow but is giving colour to a low north east facing wall, I love your pieris, I’m not sure it’s a plant that would cope with the salty winds so I enjoy seeing your, Frances
Frances rabbits are few and far between in our area these days, I am sure there was a culling.
I am always amazed at the breadth and variety of plant material in your gardens Alistair. That pieris is absolutely amazing… how I wish I could grow them here. I haven’t tried in many years so perhaps it would be worth another shot, although they’re talking a very cold winter this year and there are only so many plants that I can manage to bundle up with chicken wire and burlap! I am about to call it ‘good enough’ and take my chances with the things that I haven’t gotten to, although I know the rabbits show no mercy on any plants left to their own devices! Take care… Larry
Hi Larry, this Pieris may not have the brightest of Spring leaves but it outshines the rest in other respects.
You just reminded me that my Kaffirs did not bloom this year. I have them around the pond…I wonder if it was our summer drought…hmmm…I wish my garden looked as gorgeous after a bit of frost….we had a couple inches of snow and some still lingers…no pictures since it was dark to and from work that day…I adore variegated leaves and you certainly gave me lots to ohh and ahh over …thx!!
Yes Donna, I think the Kaffirs can be a little reluctant to flower in some years.
I’m still surprised that your Schizostylis is so much later flowering than ours. It can’t just be down to location can it? Our clump is against a south facing brick wall and the soil is sandy and free draining. It starts to flower in June and goes right on and is still flowering. I must admit to never doing anything to it except admiring it as I go by…
I do like the leaves of the Brunnera “Jack Frost”. It’s so aptly named.
Hi Janet, Schizostylis is generally seen as an Autumn flowering plant in the UK. I can only imagine that your one is in a micro climate position where it is feeling that its in its home territory. I do think if I were to place our one in a true south facing position it may well start to bloom in early September.
Alistair, thanks for stopping by and commenting. Your photography is very good. The foliage shots are great! Love the brunnera shot with the yellow leaf. Well done. Love your garden.
Thanks also for the visit Greggo, look forward to visiting your plot again soon.
Still a lot of beauty in your Aberdeen garden, and it bet it really doesn’t stop for the winter. I have never liked Pieris but yours could change my mind. The buds look purple not red and the habit is gorgeous. Sorry, I can’t work my ID magic on that one. I agree with you about Skimmia. I almost think the flowers on the male plants are prettier than the berries on the female.
That’s a pity Carolyn, but there are so many forms of Pieris, making identification very difficult. I think in this country we can be a bit generous with our use of the colour red, the flowers do veer towards purple although some may say red comes in many shades.
What a gorgeous Pieris. You have some wonderful shrubs in your garden. I love the Golden King Holly.What great foliage for year around beauty in the garden. I bet your Jack Frost Brunnera will give you beautiful blooms next Spring. I always love seeing those pretty blue blooms in the spring with the tulips.
Thanks for your visit today Alistair. My Schizostylis has a terrible habit of flopping and after our last frost the flowers are now black. I’m just admiring all your lovely foliage combinations and especially that little domed ilex.
I’m wondering if your Pieris is japonica ‘Valley Valentine’.
Rosie, thanks for the suggestion regarding the Pieris, just off to make some checks. The form does look very similar but the flowers of my one are white in Spring.
Your schizostylis is beautiful. You have a lot of plants that I don’t know, or have only seen in photos. That is one. The Hakonechloa is another. But I love its form and have often wondered if I have a good spot for one. Love your Jack Frost, too. I almost got one last year, but decided against it at the last minute. Don’t know why now! Your Peris is lovely. I’ve been behind on blog reading, but am so glad I saw this post. Loved seeing these plants – they may get put on my ever-expanding wish list!
Holly, how very often I see a plant at the garden centre which appeals, yet I don’t buy it and get home and think, why not!
I’m definitely going to get some Kaffir Lillies for the front garden. I need a few more late flowering plants to continue the interest in my front garden and they seem perfect. Might put some grit into the soil though. This is Wales and our winters tend to be on the soggy side but a neighbour is growing some in his garden so hopefully that is a good sign. Lovely photos by the way you have a lot of seasonal interest in your garden.
Wellywoman, yes we also get our share of rain, although not to the same degree as the west coast.
Hi Alistair, Thank you for introducing to a few new plants/shrubs. I am not at all familiar with Schizostylis Coccinea Major. The Aucuba (spotted Laurel) is gorgeous. I will have to check to see if it is hardy here. I know that the Pieris isn’t. I wish that it was though. How pretty! I added a Brunnera Jack Frost to my garden this spring. It still is looking good after a few hard frosts.
Hi Jennifer, I think that I can recall that the Aucuba isn’t fit for your cold Winters.
I’ll have to look out for these – its very beautiful Alistair, I’m wondering why I haven’t come across it here in South Africa on every street corner. Your Acer Palmatum Atropurpureum is quite spectacular!
Christine, I have just been reading an article which suggests the common name (Kaffir Lily) would never be used in South Africa for reasons which you may be aware of.
My skimmia japonica has bright red berries at the moment, can’t till if it’s ahead or behind yours. I loved this plant so much that I transplanted it in my central flowerbed as it had all-year-round appeal. However, the leaves started to turn yellow – maybe due to too much sun. Since then I’ve stopped moving plants around just because I fancied it.
Skimmia really like acidic soil b-a-g. I think if you gave yours a good mulch with ericaceous compost it would help.
They are all very colorful and beautiful, but i haven’t seen any one of them. That Brunera Jack Frost is my favorite to look at because it seems so extra ordinary!
It is a very unusual Brunnera Andrea
Hey Alistair, your garden is always a surprise and your knowledge is very useful to me!
I planted my first schizo a few months ago and it menages to flower now, shame the night frost doesn’t let the flowers open properly. I didn’t know it comes from South Africa but luckily I planted it on a well drained spot, I hope it’s going to survive the winter…
Alberto, I should think it would survive where you are.
I love Schizostylis coccinea. I had it in my garden until it succumbed to drought. I was told in South Africa that the common name is so offensive that it must never be spoken. We have a similar word in the US.
Jordan, I just found this out a couple of days ago. The US word is also frowned upon in the UK.
Dear Alistair, Your kaffir lily is stunning. Unfortunately, it is not hardy in PA, although I could grow it as an annual. There’s still a lot going on in your garden. Thank you for including my blog on the ‘Your Gardens’ list … I’m honored. P.
Pam, thanks for the visit. I think schizostylis may be a little expensive as an annual.
Hi there – thank you for all the lovely photos and information. Please can you tell me if I should cut back the foliage on my schitzostylus? It flowered well last autumn, but the leaves look a bit weak and straggly now.
Hi Alison
New leaves will start to show later on in Spring. Just cut back the old leaves making sure you don’t damage any emerging leaf shoots.