Sowerbaea laxiflora
purple tassels
Overview
Sowerbaea laxiflora is a tufted, grass-like perennial herb growing from a short rhizome with fleshy roots, reaching 8-18 inches (20-45 cm) tall and 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) wide. The slender, almost cylindrical leaves rise in a grassy clump, mid to grey-green and soft. In spring, leafless flowering stems carry rounded heads of many small, six-pointed mauve to purple flowers above the foliage, the heads loose enough to show the individual starry blooms. The flowers carry a sweet, vanilla-like scent, a trait shared with other plants known as vanilla lilies. The species grows in seasonally wet sandy flats, winter-damp depressions, and the margins of swamps in southwestern Australia. It grows actively through the moist cooler months and dies back to its roots over the dry summer, so the clump disappears for part of the year. This summer dormancy and a need for winter-wet, free-draining sand make it a plant for specific conditions rather than general borders.
Native Range
Sowerbaea laxiflora is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It grows in seasonally wet sandy flats, winter-damp depressions, and swamp margins on sandy soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in seasonally wet native gardens, sandy bog edges, and pots that can be dried off over summer. Used by native-plant growers for its scented spring flowers. Spaced 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) apart in clumps.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'6"
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Rounded heads of small mauve to purple flowers open in spring, roughly September to November, on slender leafless stems above the foliage. The flowers are scented of vanilla and open over several weeks. The clump then yellows and dies back as the soil dries for summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Mauve to purpleFoliage Description
Mid to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 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
Sowerbaea laxiflora grows in full sun to light shade in sandy, free-draining soil that is wet in winter and dry in summer. It grows through the cooler, moist months and is dormant over summer, when watering is withheld to avoid rotting the roots. Cold hardiness covers light frost, roughly USDA zones 9-11. The species is intolerant of rich soil and summer water and is suited to winter-wet sand or a seasonally watered pot. Division of dormant clumps is the usual way to increase it.Pruning
No pruning is needed for this herb. Faded flower stems and yellowing leaves can be removed as the plant enters summer dormancy. Growth returns from the roots with the autumn rains.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons