Sowerbaea spp.
vanilla lily
Overview
Sowerbaea spp. is a small genus of tufted perennial herbs in the family Asparagaceae, native to Australia. Plants grow from a short rhizome into grassy clumps 6-16 inches (15-40 cm) tall, with slender, rush-like leaves that are round to flattened in cross-section. In spring, leafless stems rise above the foliage to carry rounded umbels of many small, six-petalled flowers in pink to mauve or lilac, sometimes white. The flowers carry a sweet, vanilla-like scent, which gives the genus its common name of vanilla lily. The genus grows in seasonally moist heath, woodland, and swamp margins, often in sandy or peaty soils, and tolerates winter wet followed by summer dryness. After flowering, plants may die back as soils dry. Hardiness suits mild, frost-free to light-frost climates, roughly USDA zones 9 to 10.
Native Range
Sowerbaea spp. is native to Australia, occurring across the south-west, south-east, and parts of eastern Australia. Species grow in heathland, open woodland, and the margins of swamps and seasonal wetlands, often on sandy or peaty soils.Suggested Uses
Used in native and wildflower gardens, rockeries, bog or heath plantings, and containers in mild climates. Spaced 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) apart, plants form grassy tufts. The fragrant spring flowers also suit small posies.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'4"
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly in spring, generally September to November in its native range. Rounded umbels of small pink to mauve flowers open above the leaves and carry a sweet vanilla scent. A lighter second flush can follow in autumn in some seasons.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pink to mauve or lilacFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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
Plants grow in full sun to light shade in sandy or peaty soils that stay moist through winter and spring, at an acidic to neutral pH from about 5.0 to 6.5. They tolerate seasonal waterlogging when in growth and drier soils once dormant in summer. Sharp drainage in the dormant season reduces the risk of crown rot. Plants resent heavy, rich soils and prolonged summer irrigation. In containers a free-draining, low-fertility mix suits them. Hardiness suits frost-free to light-frost regions, roughly USDA zones 9 to 10.Pruning
No routine pruning is needed. Spent flower stems can be cut at the base after flowering. Dead foliage is cleared once plants enter summer dormancy.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons