Scientific name: Hesperantha coccinea
Family: IRIDACEAE
Common names: “Crimson flag lily”
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial , can be evergreen
Conditions:
Zone: 7-9
Light: Full sun, grows in shadier spots but with less flowers
Exposure: Sheltered from cold drying winds
Soil: Moderately fertile soil
Moisture: Evenly moist through the growing season
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 12-24″ W 18-24″
Leaf and Stem shape: Forms a clump of erect, grassy foliage
Flower: Spikes of bowl-shaped scarlet flowers in autumn
Maintenance: Medium, deadhead to prolong flowering and cut flowered stems when done, provide a protective mulch in the winter
Landscape use: Cottage garden, mixed border, filler, container, wallside flower bed
Propagate: By`division
Pests & Disease: No known
*Deer resistant?
Comments: Native to Zimbabwe and South Africa
Cultivars: ~AGM winners: H. c. ‘Jennifer’ , H. c. ‘Major’ , H. c. ‘Wilfred H. Bryant’ , H. c. ‘Sunrise’
Vancouver Island Grows 
Where can I find this ( Hesperantha coccinea ) in the lower mainland ? I’ve tried & nurseries don’t seem to have it ..or maybe a diffrent name ? I also tried ” Kafir Lily” …thanks for any help
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ignore my previous comment…I found ” Hesperantha coccinea” under a totally different latin name ” Clivia x miniata “…why do they change the names??? anyway thank you..didn’t want to waste anyones time.
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Thank you Martine, I’ve looked up Clivia x miniata and it appears to be a different plant with the same common name, I believe Hesperantha coccinea is still the name of this one… look for it at your local nursery in Spring. Where Clivia is only hardy to zone 9 so maybe it won’t survive our winter outside.
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thank you for your helpful reply….they need to stop doubling up the names & confusing everyone (lol)
Happy Christmas to you .
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Hi Martine, I live mid-Island and late last summer I purchased a white (pale pink) form of Hesperantha coccinea, previously known as Schizostylis coccinea from KenDor Garden Center in Qualicum. Its common name, the Kaffir Lily, is not used anymore due to its negative and racist origins. I planted mine at the edge of a border, in full sun where it gets even moisture through the growing season. It has good drainage. It flowered well this fall/winter. I would love to have the red form or one of the others; there are some beautiful forms but are they available here? It’s leaves are narrow. Clivia x miniata has much broader thicker leaves and is commonly grown as a houseplant. Hope this helped.
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