Freesia
Freesia refracta
Family: Iridaceae · Also called Freesia refracta, Gladiolus refractus, Freesia refracta odorata, Montbretia refracta
Citrus & Bright · Spring bloomer
The freesia is a fragrance powerhouse disguised as a delicate flower. Its trumpet-shaped blooms, arranged in a one-sided spray that arches gracefully, pack a citrus-sweet punch that belies their small size. Originally from a tiny area of South Africa's Western Cape, freesias have been bred into a rainbow of colors, though the most intensely fragrant remain white and yellow.
innocence, trust, friendship, thoughtfulness
In the Victorian language of flowers, freesia means “Innocent trust and lasting friendship”. Freesias were named after Friedrich Freese, a German physician who was a friend of the botanist who discovered them in South Africa. They are one of the most popular cut flowers in the world, prized for their long vase life and intense fragrance. In the language of flowers, freesias represent the trust between friends.
Did You Know?
White and yellow freesias are significantly more fragrant than colored varieties, the pigments that create pink, red, and purple blooms actually suppress the scent compounds. Freesias bend at a right angle on their stems, a unique trait called 'refraction' that gives them their species name.
Rocky sandstone slopes of the Western Cape, South Africa
Freesia is native to Southern Africa. It naturally grows in rocky sandstone slopes of the western cape, south africa.
Scent Profile
“A bright, citrus-sweet fragrance with a distinctive peppery edge, clean, sparkling, and immediately uplifting.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameFreesia refracta
- FamilyIridaceae
- Native ToSouthern Africa
- Bloom SeasonSpring
- LifespanPerennial
Cultural Significance
Freesias were named after Friedrich Freese, a German physician who was a friend of the botanist who discovered them in South Africa. They are one of the most popular cut flowers in the world, prized for their long vase life and intense fragrance. In the language of flowers, freesias represent the trust between friends.