Bulbine

Bulbine – Buy The Best Burn Jelly Plants In New Zealand!

Adding colourful succulents such as Bulbine frutescens to your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space.
• They attract birds and bees.
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

We have the right African Bulbine (otherwise known as the Burn Jelly Plant) for your space in our large range of plants. Our orange and yellow Bulbine frutescens have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Bulbine frutescens, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Bulbine Questions

1. What is the Bulbine frutescens used for?

Bulbine frutescens, also known as the burn jelly plant, is a versatile plant with uses in both medicine and landscape design. Here's a breakdown of its main uses:

Medicinal:

• First-aid: The gel-like juice from the leaves is a popular natural remedy for minor burns, cuts, scrapes, rashes, blisters, insect bites, and sunburn. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, promoting healing and reducing pain.
• Internal uses: Though less common, some traditional practices use infusions of the leaves for coughs, colds, and arthritis. However, internal use should be with caution, as there's limited scientific evidence and potential side effects exist.

Landscape design:

• Drought-resistant groundcover: Bulbine frutescens thrives in well-drained soil and needs minimal watering, making it ideal for xeriscaping and low-maintenance gardens.
• Ornamental value: The bright yellow flowers attract bees and butterflies, adding colour and interest to the landscape.
• Easy to grow: This hardy plant readily propagates and requires minimal care, making it a good choice for gardeners of all experience levels.

2. Is Bulbine Frutescens hardy?

The hardiness of Bulbine frutescens depends on your specific location and climate:

Overall:

• Generally considered half-hardy. It can tolerate some frost but not harsh winters.
• Performs best in mild climates with well-drained soil.
• Can survive temperatures down to around -5°C (23°F) in sheltered locations.

3. Should you cut back Bulbine?

Whether or not you should cut back your Bulbine frutescens depends on a few factors, including its overall health, size, and desired appearance:

• Cutting back leggy stems encourages new growth from the base, resulting in a fuller, denser plant.
• If your Bulbine is becoming too large for its space, trimming it back will keep it in check and prevent it from taking over.
• Pruning away dead or diseased leaves improves the plant's overall health and aesthetics.
• Deadheading spent flower stalks can trigger the plant to produce more blooms.

4. What is the common name for Bulbine?

Bulbine doesn't have one single, universally recognized common name. It depends on the specific species and where you are! Here are some of the most common names you might encounter for different Bulbine species:

General names:

• Orange bulbine
• Stalked bulbine
• Snake flower
• Cat's tail
• Burn jelly plant

Species-specific names:

• Balsam kopieva (Bulbine frutescens, in Afrikaans)
• Geelkatstert (Bulbine frutescens, in Afrikaans)
• Yellow spider (Bulbine bulbosa)
• Bitter aloe (Bulbine alooides)
• Red root (Bulbine latifolia, Afrikaans: rooiwortel)

Ultimately, the best way to know the common name for a specific Bulbine is to refer to its species name or consult a reputable gardening resource specific to your region.

5. How big do Bulbine plants get?

The size of Bulbine plants varies greatly depending on the specific species and growing conditions. Here's a breakdown of the typical size range for some popular Bulbine species:

Small (up to 0.3 meters):

• Bulbine minima: This compact species features clusters of bright yellow flowers and grows to only about 10-20 cm (4-8 inches) tall.

Medium (0.3 to 1 meter):

• Bulbine frutescens: The popular burn jelly plant typically reaches 30-60 cm (12-24 inches) in height but can spread wider than its height.
• Bulbine bulbosa: This species boasts star-shaped yellow flowers and grows to around 40-80 cm (16-32 inches) tall.

Large (over 1 metre):

• Bulbine aloides: This aloe-like species can reach a height of 1-2 meters (3-6 feet) and has thick, fleshy leaves.

  Bulbine latifolia: This large-leaved species can grow up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall and has showy orange flowers.