It looks to be a type of rain lily. They have thin strappy leaves almost grass like and produce seed pods. The flower resembles a rain lily.

Yeah, you are right, they are similar! I have lots of varieties of rain lilies (zephyranthes) but I don't think these are related. These leaves are wider and less thick than rain lily's leaves. These leaves are somewhat similar to an iris except that they do not stand up firmly nor fan out. I hope someone will know what they are.

Carol

Watsonia borbonica.

Kay, thank you so much! I think it is some kind of Watsonia! You are so smart. I'm not positive it is borbonica, but it is one of the Watsonias. And sure enough, Watsonia is in the Iridaceae (Iris) family. I had a feeling they might be related because of the leaf structure.

Thank you!
Carol

So pretty! I looked up Watsonia up on GoogleImage & W. borbonica is supposed to grow 4-5 feet tall - this looks shorter...?

In fact, none of the Watsonia images I found look like this plant/flowers - wondering if you tried the 'Name That Plant' forum yet?

Mine is about 4 feet tall - some a bit taller.

Eureka! Freesia laxa, a.k.a. painted petal flower - now I want it too!

Here is a link that might be useful: Google Image search results

Carol in Sarasota, you got it! In the words of Andy Bernard on The Office, "Nailed it!" Thank you! You were right when you said these are short. They don't come up more than a foot tall and also the flowers are only a couple per stem. They don't "stack" like Foxglove or Gladiolas. So it is a Freesia, and yes, those photos are a perfect match.

Kay, you are on it so often, I was sure you were right. I was looking for through the Google images, trying to make it work, LOL. Thank you for taking the time to try and help me.

Carol B and Kay, my neighbor gave me some seeds and I think she may have more. If you would like some, send me an email with your address. She said she just tosses them out into the bed and they seed themselves.

Thanks again for the help!

Carol in Jacksonville

Thanks - I image-searched 'pink iridaceae'. Kay started the ball rolling for sure...

Does anyone have the variety False Freesia 'Joan Evans'? It's hard to find. It's mostly white with some red markings in the center. Very pretty.

If you have it, where did you get it?

Would you swap some seeds?

Thanks!

Carol

Does freesia need some cooler weather than in St Pete? I don't notice them growing around here. Spiderwort, on the other hand, love my yard (yea!).

Irma, I don't know about regular (true) freesia. This false freesia comes up every January and February - it is the first thing to flower in my yard every spring. It is completely gone by late May or early June - green leaves and all - gone. It reappears the following January. It is reported to be hardy to Zone 10b but it is not a common plant so that may be why you haven't seen it. I had never seen or heard of it until my neighbor shared it with me.

Would you like some seeds to try? They are thick little beads but all the time and energy I have right now is to chance it by mailing them in a regular envelope. If you want to give it a shot, send me your address via Houzz message.

Carol

Carol, you're so kind! More kind than I am successful at starting things from seed. But thanks anyway!

Irma, I don't want to twist your arm. But here's how these seeds are planted and I'm dead serious:

1) Toss them into any flower bed.

2) Wait until January.

Do not "plant" them.

Do not water them. Simply toss. And then wait. I promise they will come up. No matter what.

But I understand if they are not your thing. :)

Carol.

I want some! I'll write to you. Thanks!

I have enough seeds to share with about five more gardeners. I will give preference to those who are already registered and active on our forum. If you are interested, please send me a Houzz message. (Click on my name above, make SURE you are logged in, and then click on the white "Message" in the upper right of my banner.)

Hoping I'll have some takers!

EDIT: I will be asking for a SASE business envelope and sending these out in those. No time to fool with padded envelopes, etc.

Carol

Folks, I'm all out of seeds. I've had a
great response and they are all promised.

Barbi, I'm holding some for
you if you will please send a Houzz Message to me.

Thanks!

Carol

Hi Carol,

I would love to try some seeds :)

I just started growing Adeniums from seeds this past spring/summer and now I'm looking forward to sowing lots of seeds from all types of plants this coming year.

Happy Gardening, Jeannie :)

Jeannie,

This is an old thread... I won't have seeds until May. Please send me a Houzz message then and I will be so happy to share! These are a no-brainer!

Carol in Jacksonville

Carol most of my tossed seeds have sprouted and I still have a few to plant in anorher spot of the bed later on. I can't wait till they bloom! Thanks again!