Veltheimia , a genus in the Hyacinthaceae family, has two species that are native to South Africa. Veltheimia bracteata, from the eastern part of South Africa, is almost evergreen, but benefits from reduced watering in the summer and is best grown in light shade. It flowers in the spring. Veltheimia capensis comes from a dryer part of western South Africa, requires full sun to flower well, is deciduous, and flowers in autumn to early winter. In January 2004 Veltheimia was the subject of the topic of the week TOW on the pbs list. The Introduction was supplied by Doug Westfall.

Veltheimia bracteata (syn. Veltheimia viridifolia) has shiny pale to deep green leaves and tubular flowers that are pale to deep pink. It has fleshy bulb tunics and is either evergreen in some climates and only without leaves for a couple of months late summer into fall in other climates. The first picture shows one growing in a container in Jennifer Hildebrand's Riverside, CA garden. The second photo is from Rand Nicholson who received this specimen as a Lachenalia. It is starting to form a bud in April 2005. It spends outdoors in spring, summer, and fall and indoors in winter where he lives in Canada.
Veltheimia bracteata Veltheimia bracteata, Rand Nicholson

The first one (a gift from Doug Westfall) was flowering in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens bulb collection. That photo was taken by Kristina Van Wert and the second picture was taken in March 2003 by Bob Rutemoeller.
Veltheimia bracteata, Kristina Van Wert Veltheimia bracteata, Bob Rutemoeller

Doug Westfall is growing many different ones with interesting color forms. Photos below are all taken by him and all are grown by him in Southern California. The first one Doug is calling 'Fuchsia Pink', the second 'Cream', the third is yellow, the fourth a nice color combination he calls 'Lemon Blush' and the last has variegated leaves and lemon yellow flowers.
Veltheimia bracteata 'Fuschsia Pink' Veltheimia bracteata 'Cream' Veltheimia bracteata yellow Veltheimia bracteata 'Lemon Blush' Veltheimia bracteata variegated leaves

Bill Dijk is also growing and hybridizing these in New Zealand. Below is a pictures of one with yellow flowers. The second photo was taken by Susan Hayek. It illustrates a pale yellow one Diana Chapman has in her living room.
Veltheimia bracteata, Bill Dijk Veltheimia bracteata Susan Hayek

Veltheimia capensis has glaucous or grayish leaves and is deciduous. The outer bulb tunics of this species are papery. It is autumn and winter flowering. Photos by Digby Boswell (first) and Doug Westfall (second) of a form that appeared in a group os seedlings that was more red in color. This color continues in its offspring.
Veltheimia capensis, Digby Boswell Veltheimia capensis, Doug Westfall

These photos taken in South Africa in September 2003 by Mary Sue Ittner show how attractive Veltheimia capensis can be in fruit.
Veltheimia capensis fruit Veltheimia capensis fruit

Veltheimia deasii The plant pictured below is being grown by Doug Westfall and a few others. Although a named species, some consider it to be a form of Veltheimia capensis Note that the flowers are petite as compared to V. bracteata or to V. capensis. Also, the leaves are narrower, more undulated, and more numerous. Ten to twelve leaves per bulb is not unusual. In several ways, this growth is even more "petite" than the other bulb's foliage which adds "argument" for those who see this as different from Velthemia capensis. The last picture is of two different clones. Photos by Doug Westfall.
Veltheimia received as V. deasii Veltheimia received as V. deasii Veltheimia received as V. deasiiVeltheimia received as V. deasii

Veltheimia hybrid more correctly, V.capensis x bracteata -growing in the collection of Doug Westfall in Southern California
Veltheimia capensis x bracteata

Pictures from Bill Dijk of some of his creations.
Veltheimia hybrid Veltheimia hybrid Veltheimia hybrid

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