Flower Library
Bugle Lily
Watsonia · Iridaceae
The watsonia looks like the more elegant, slimmer sister of the gladiolus: tall, straight spikes with funnel-shaped blooms in warm salmon, orange and coral tones. As a cut flower it is still an exotic here — and precisely for that reason an eye-catcher in large summer bouquets. When we can get it at the auction, we do.
- Season
- June – July – August
- Vase life
- 7–10 days
- Latin name
- Watsonia
- Colors
- Orange, Salmon, Coral red, Pink, White
The genus comprises more than fifty species; for cutting, the key ones are Watsonia borbonica in pink and white plus orange and coral hybrids. Compared with gladiolus, the spikes are more loosely set and the individual blooms smaller and daintier — which makes watsonia less heavy in a bouquet.
As with all spike flowers, the blooms open from the bottom upwards. So when buying, choose stems with the lowest one to three flowers open and the upper buds showing colour. The spike then unfolds in the vase over a good week.
Regularly pluck out the spent lower funnels — it not only looks better but directs the stem's energy into the upper buds. A fresh recut every few days helps the long vascular channels draw water right to the tip.
Stylistically watsonia is a classic line flower for tall, stable vases and generous arrangements. Its warm tones combine with dahlias, crocosmias and grasses into late-summer pictures; against white and silver-green it looks surprisingly refined. Three to five stems alone in a floor vase make a statement.
The most common mistake is a vase that is too small: the stems, up to a metre long, become top-heavy as the upper buds open. At least a third of the stem length should stand in water, and the vessel needs real weight of its own.
Is Bugle Lily toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Mildly irritating
- Cats
- Mildly irritating
- Dogs
- Mildly irritating
There is hardly any toxicological data on watsonia; serious poisonings are not documented. As with other iris relatives, the corm and plant parts can cause gastrointestinal upset if eaten — keep out of reach of pets and children to be safe.
Typical symptoms: After eating larger amounts: nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, usually mild.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Cut the stems at an angle and place them in a tall, heavy vase with fresh water.
- 02At least a third of the stem length should stand in water.
- 03Regularly pluck out the spent lower blooms so the upper buds open in turn.
- 04Recut and change the water every two to three days.
- 05Display cool and out of direct sun, away from fruit.
- 06Buy stems with only a few open blooms — the spike keeps developing in the vase.
Frequently asked
- What is the difference between watsonia and gladiolus?
- Both belong to the same family and carry flower spikes, but watsonia is slimmer and more loosely set, and its funnel-shaped blooms are smaller and more symmetrical. In a bouquet it therefore feels lighter and less dominant than the classic gladiolus.
- How long does watsonia last in the vase?
- About seven to ten days. Since the spike opens from the bottom upwards, it keeps changing throughout. Regularly plucking out spent funnels and recutting every few days makes the most of that span.
- When is watsonia available as a cut flower?
- The small auction lots appear mainly from June to August. Watsonia remains a niche flower — if you want to count on it for a specific date, pre-order with us so we can buy specifically for it.
- Is watsonia toxic?
- It is not considered strongly toxic but has been studied little. As with most corm plants of the iris family, chewing can cause gastrointestinal upset. We recommend keeping the vase and corms away from pets and small children.