Triteleia laxa Queen Fabiola (Ithuriels Spear)

Reminiscent of a spear, Triteleia laxa ‘Queen Fabiola’ is a cormous perennial boasting loose umbels of up to 25 big, star-shaped, intensely blue-mauve flowers in late spring to early summer.

Reminiscent of a spear, Triteleia laxa 'Queen Fabiola' is a cormous perennial boasting loose umbels of up to 25 big, star-shaped, intensely blue-mauve flowers in late spring to early summer. Rising on long, slender stalks, the flowers open continuously for a month or more, extending the show for quite a while before the plant goes dormant in summer. The foliage of long, grasslike basal leaves emerges in late winter and dies back as the flowers appear. Easy to grow, undemanding, beautiful and adaptable, this plant is a charming addition to the landscape.

  • Growing up to 15-20 in. high (37-50 cm), this beauty will naturalize in optimum growing conditions and will come back year after year!
  • Easily grown in light, sandy, fertile, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Tolerates clay soil. In cold winter areas, apply a layer of mulch to protect this plant. For best results, provide the plant with consistent moisture spring to early summer; however, maintain a dry soil after blooming until the following spring. Drought tolerant.
  • Virtually disease-free and pest-free!
  • Stunning in beds, borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens or city gardens. For best visual impact, plant in groups (at least 10 bulbs). Mixes beautifully with low-growing perennials such as Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis), perennial geraniums and short ornamental grasses. Long-lasting cut flowers with a great vase life.
  • Propagate by separating corms when dormant.

Requirements

Hardiness 6
– 10

Heat Zones 6
– 10

Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Triteleia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)Summer (Early)
Height 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spread 6"
(15cm)
Spacing 3″
– 4″
(7cm
– 10cm)
Depth 3"
(7cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Drought
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden