Hesperantha coccinea

Hesperantha coccinea   –   Crimson Flag Lily | Scarlet River Lily

Hesperantha coccinea, commonly known as the Crimson Flag Lily, is a stunning perennial plant that adds a vibrant touch to any garden. This South African native boasts beautiful, star-shaped flowers in a striking crimson red colour, which appear on tall, slender stems from late summer to early autumn.

Growing up to 60 cm tall, Hesperantha coccinea forms dense clumps of narrow, sword-shaped leaves that provide a lush, green backdrop for the brilliant blooms. Each flower measures approximately 5 cm in diameter and features six pointed petals.

This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-draining soil. It is an excellent choice for borders, mixed perennial beds, or as a container plant. It also loves growing along water margins, as the common name Scarlet River Lily might suggest. Hesperantha coccinea also makes a lovely cut flower, lasting well in a vase.

Tolerant of summer heat and humidity, as well as frosty cold winters, Crimson Flag Lily is a reliable and long-lived perennial that will flower year after year. Its late-season blooms provide a welcome pop of colour when many other plants have finished flowering, making it an essential addition to any garden looking to extend its floral display into the autumn months.

Whether planted en masse for a dramatic effect or used more sparingly as an accent plant, Hesperantha coccinea is sure to captivate with its burst of crimson red blooms.

Key Facts

• Height: 60 cm
• Width: dense clumps form over time, normally up to around 50 cm
• Full sun or part shade

Syn. Schizostylis coccinea