Description
Libertia –
There are about 20 species of fibrous-rooted, clump forming, rhizomatous evergreen perennials in this genus. They occur in moist, grassy areas and scrub in New Zealand, Australia, and temperate North and South America. They have linear, leathery, 2 ranked, overlapping, mainly basal leaves, and the leaves held on stiff flowering stems are sparse and smaller. They are grown for their saucer shaped, white or blue flowers, each usually with 3 small outer tepals, 3 broad inner tepals, and sheathing bracts, borne in panicles and followed by glossy, light brown seed heads. Grow the larger Libertias in a herbaceous or mixed border, or in a gravel garden, the smaller species are suitable for a rock garden.
Grow in moderately fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Where marginally hardy, protect in winter with a dry mulch. Divide in spring.
L. formosa – L. chilensis – Showy Libertia – This rhizomatous perennial from Chile grows 3′ feet tall and 2′ feet wide. It forms large clumps of linear, stiff, leathery, deep green leaves, 6-18″ long. In long succession from late spring to mid summer it bears dense panicles of 3-8 white or pale yellow-white flowers, 1 ½” across.
Zones 7-9
