The Galtonias - of which there are two good ones for garden use - are good mid to late summer flowering bulbous plants.
They are excellent in mixed borders or as stand alone specimens in their own bulb bed.
Both prefer full sun, and moist growing conditions - especially in the early growing season for Spring through to Summer.
Galtonias are one of the later flowering bulbous plants, and will help any border or bed back to life and interest with their bell-like pendulous flowers. They are of the same family as Hyacinths - Hyacinthaceae, but do not share the same colour range. Both images below were taken on 12th August 2007
Galtonia viridiflora <------> Galtonia candicans.
Galtonia viridiflora has erect but sometimes arching stems of off-yellow or greenish yellow bell flowers. The foliage is grey green in colour and long lanceolate leaves, that can be as long as 24in. The flower stalks normally reach 2-3 feet. It is reasonably hardy, but benefits from a winter mulch of a few inches deep to help protects tips of emerging growth.
Galtonia candicans has altogether longer leaves and taller flower stems. The flowers are pure white and noticeably scented - unlike the G. viridiflora. The flower stalks in this case can reach 3-4 feet in height. Mulch in late Autumn to give winter protection.
In both Galtonias, the flower stems are held above the foliage and make for attractive and slightly unusual features. There has always been interest in the plants whenever I have photographed them - with many questions asked.