Years ago I bought a start of this little plant that grows from bulbs, makes tiny white flowers, and to the uninitiated, sometimes just look like a batch of grass. But Drimia unifloria is a neat little plant that is unusual and adds a different texture to your dish gardens. The green plant in the background that you really can’t tell much about is a Gasteria lilliputiana, but you can see how the two are complimentary.
Drimia unifloria is of the Asparagaceae family, Yes, the same one asparagus is in, which I thought was interesting. I also found that Albuca, which also grows from a bulb, is in the same family. About a hundred species of this family are found in Africa, Madagascar, the Mediterranean, and Asia.
Drimia unifloria grows from bulbs that may be underground or near the surface of the potting soil, which mine are. Each bulb has one or several leaves around the bulb that dry before they bloom, and some of the grass-like leaves growing out of that bulb also dry and turn brown, which may be a distraction to some people. Look closely and you can see the brighter green buds coming up from the bulbs.
Some of the flowers on plants in different areas and on slightly different varieties have flowers with shorter, tighter petals, but they all seem to be white and tiny. But they bloom in clusters and show up against their green bulbs and grass-like leaves.
This pot of Drimia is full of buds but also some of the dry leaves. The trick is to just carefully pull out the dry strands, It’s not hard; with a little pressure as you grab them, they come right out.
You will most likely have to ferret out this plant at cactus/succulent specialty nurseries, or ask me for a bulb! It’s a nice addition to your collection.
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