Sparaxis are not fully hardy and may need some protection from frost over winter and early spring. When supplied for planting in spring (between February and May), they can be planted outdoors from around mid April onwards once risk of hard frosts has passed, or started in a cool greenhouse earlier in spring. When supplied in autumn, they can be potted and grown on in a greenhouse over winter, or if winter conditions are typically quite mild in your area and the soil is free draining, they can be planted directly into borders with a mulch of leaves or compost over them during winter.

— When supplied in spring, plant your Sparaxis corms between March and May and grow on in frost-free conditions. Starying them early in a greenhouse will give them a head start, they can then be planted out in a sunny, sheltered spot after risk of frost has passed in your area. Alternatively, they can be planted directly outside in early May.

— When supplied in autumn, plant into pots and keep in a greenhouse through winter, watering sparingly but regularly. They can then be transferred into borders between mid April and early June. If temperatures rarely fall below around -2C in your area over winter and the soil has good drainage, they may survive being planted directly into borders between September and November with just a mulch of leaves or compost over them to offer extra insulation over winter.

— Choose a spot in full sun with a fertile but very well-drained soil. If growing in containers, we recommend using multipurpose compost with a little added sand or grit to aid drainage.

— Plant the bulbs 5-10cm deep with the pointed side facing upwards.

— Space the bulbs about 5-10cm apart from each other.

— Water-in after planting and keep hydrated while in growth. While the bulbs are still dormant, it is best to allow the soil to become almost dry before watering again.

— After flowering, spent flowerheads can be cut back, but allow foliage to die down naturally to replenish the corms.

— To overwinter the corms, lift them before temperatures freeze in autumn and allow to dry off in a warm place for a few days, before trimming off any remaining foliage. Then store in a cool, dry and frost-free place before replanting the following spring. In areas with mild winters, they may survive outdoors over winter with a mulch over them.