Babiana stricta

Babiana stricta (Iridaceae), the baboon flower or blue freesia, is native to the Cape province of South Africa. This cormous geophyte produces ribbed, hairy leaves and spikes of fragrant, cup-shaped flowers in a wide range of colours — blue, mauve, purple, pink or cream — often marked with darker contrasts. It flowers during the southern spring, from August to October. Grow in full sun, in well-drained soil, keeping dry during summer dormancy; ideal in pots or a sunny border.