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Francoa spp.
bridal wreath
Overview
Francoa spp. is a small genus of evergreen perennials in the family Francoaceae (formerly placed in Saxifragaceae), native to the coastal hills and rocky slopes of central Chile. Recent treatments often combine the named forms into one variable species, F. sonchifolia, though several names remain in use. Plants form a basal rosette of dark green, lobed to lyre-shaped leaves with wavy, toothed margins and a hairy surface, the rosette spreading 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) across. In summer, slender, wand-like flowering stems rise to 2-3 feet (60-90 cm), each carrying a narrow spike of many small, cup-shaped flowers in white to pink, often with a deeper pink blotch at the petal base. The seed capsules that follow are dry and persistent. Plants grow from short rhizomes and slowly form clumps. Francoa spp. tolerates light shade and dry shade once established but is damaged by hard frost, so in colder regions it is grown in pots and overwintered under cover or treated as a short-lived plant. The evergreen rosette and tall flower wands make it a foliage and cut-flower plant in mild gardens.
Native Range
Francoa spp. is native to central Chile, where it grows on shaded rocky slopes, cliff ledges, and stream banks in the coastal ranges. It is not native to North America.Suggested Uses
Francoa spp. is grown in shaded and woodland borders, on rock walls and ledges, and in containers in mild-climate gardens, and the long spikes are used as cut flowers. The evergreen rosettes work as edging or groundcover in frost-free areas. In colder regions it is kept as a conservatory or patio pot plant.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs through summer, generally June to August, with new flowers opening from the base of the spike upward over several weeks. The small white to pink flowers draw bees and other insects. The slender spikes are long-lasting and are cut for arrangements.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pinkFoliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Francoa spp. grows in full sun to part shade in moist but free-draining, humus-rich soil, and tolerates dry shade once the clumps are established. It needs reliable moisture during summer flowering and is prone to crown rot in waterlogged winter soil. Plants are raised from seed or by division in spring. In regions colder than about zone 7 the crowns are damaged by hard frost, so plants are grown in containers and moved under cover for winter. Spent flower stems are removed to keep the rosette tidy. Few pests or diseases affect it.Pruning
Faded flower spikes are cut back to the base after bloom to tidy the plant and limit self-sowing. Tattered or frost-damaged leaves are removed from the evergreen rosette in spring. Clumps are lifted and divided every few years to keep them vigorous.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons