Winter Red-Hot Poker – Veltheimia bracteata

Winter Red Hot Poker

This plant is found in the wild in the Eastern Cape area of South Africa it is also called a Forest Lily. They grow from fall planted bulbs. It is cold sensitive and therefore should be planted in pots that can be brought into the greenhouse or indoors during cold weather. In its native planting area it is semi-evergreen, dying back in the summer, hot months.

During Victorian times this plant was very popular, but has since fallen out of favor. There is no reference to Veltheimia bracteata being used medicinally in South Africa

Glory of the Snow – Chionodoxa forbesii

The early spring bulbs produce one flower stem each, with 2-3 blossoms per stem. They can be made into miniature nosegays and work well as a border plant. In some areas they bloom so early that their bright blue flowers often peek out of the snow!

These natives of the Southern Turkish Mountains (above 7000 feet), were first described in 1877. They naturalize forest edges and border areas easily and look wonderful under early blooming daffodils.

No reference to any uses other than in gardening have been noted.

Glory-of-the-Snow