Hi Daffnetters,
We are slowerly moving into spring — a few warm days and nights , no frosts and quite noticeable growth.
Erlicheer is in full flush in the North Island and is now in all supermarkets and florist shops .
It is a sport of the tazetta – White Pearl — and thus does prefer warmer conditions.
Although it grows well here , near the coast and with ( usually ) no severe frosts , I think the taller , better
quality flowers are marketed by Auckland and Bay Of Plenty ( Tauranga ) area growers.
South Island growers find that it struggles in cooler , longer winters and is usually shorter and considerably later
the further South you go. North Island growers send a lot of cheer to the bigger S I citys ; I ,m not sure if it is
grown as a market flower or just for bulbs and home gardens in the South Island.
I would be interested in its growing range overseas .
Would expect it to thrive in the southern and coastal U S A .
The southern U K should be O K . Probably to cold in Scotland. Ireland ??.
It is a very steady seller in N Z , the strong fragrance can be a little overpowering.
The erlicheer family has many branches.
Cheers John.
John:
Here in central California, about 50 miles from the coast and at the latitude of San Francisco, Erlicheer in a garden location that is watered year round is a very happy plant. It blooms steadily from October to March, and attains a stem length exceeding 0.5 meter. (I’ve never thought to measure it, but it is very long.) I keep it far from the house because of the overpowering scent, which I enjoy only in small doses. Our summers are hot, and while winters may bring a few frosts, we are a climate where citrus grows, and experiences only occasional tip freezing.
Melissa
At 03:24 AM 7/24/2009, wrote:
Joanna Tilghman
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John,
I saw Erlicheer growing very well in a state park just outside Phoenix, Arizona. It was in a rocky gorge that had a small stream running through it, at least during the winter months. Temperatures were in the high 80’s F. This was late February this year.
Edie Godfrey
Minnetrista, Minnesota (Erlicheer doesn’t survive up here in Ag Zone 4b.)