Francoa

( fran - KOH - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Francoa is a genus of perennial evergreen flowering plants that need partial shade and regular to moderate water to perform well. Species are native to Chile, and produce a rosette of foliage 1-2 feet tall and wide that spreads by rhizomes. 2-3 foot tall stems carry spikes of white flowers, sometimes marked with or tinted pink. They make great cut flowers, and are wonderful in shaded flower beds, providing beautiful groundcover-like foliage that sends up stems of flowers in summer and fall. Use Francoa as edging, to front borders, in planters, or in raised beds in courtyards. They can also make good patio or greenhouse plants.

Francoa species and varietals

The genus Francoa includes between one and seven species, and is the type genus member of the plant family Francoaceae. Maiden's Wreath does well in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 or Sunset growing zones 4-9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Francoa appendiculata (Maiden's Wreath, Chilean Bridal Wreath, Bridal Wreath)
By some authorities, this is the only species recognized in the genus. Plants can reach up to 3 feet tall when mature, and grow as basal clumps of round, deeply lobed dark green foliage. Leafstalks are winged. Flowers are cup-shaped and bloom on packed upright racemes. Blooms are pink with red markings and flower in summer through early fall.

Francoa ramosa (Bridal Wreath, Maiden's Wreath, Wedding Flower)
This evergreen, herbaceous clumping and spreading perennial plant produces large basal leaves and is considered a low-maintenance addition to partially shaded areas. Individual plants reach 3-5 feet tall when in bloom, and spread to 1-2 feet wide. Hardy to 20-25 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants can take full sun if grown on the coast.

Francoa sonchifolia (Wedding Flower, Bridalwreath, Bridal Wreath)
This species is endemic to Chile, and produces wavy-edged basal foliage clumps and unbranched racemes of pale pink flowers that are veined or blotched with dark pink markings. The specific epithet means 'with leaves like Sonchus (Sowthistle)'. Hardy to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Caring for Francoa

Francoa plants perform best when grown in full sun to partial shade. The more sun they receive, the more they will flower. In the warmest climates of their range, they will need some shade during the warmest hours of the day. They prefer soil that is well-draining and fertile. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. After planting, put down an inch or two of organic mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain constant soil temperature, and increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. When mature, these plants also appreciate consistently moist soil. As a general rule of thumb, irrigate whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry. When plants are dormant over the late fall and winter months, lessen waterings.

Each year in springtime, apply a 2-inch layer of organic compost around the planting area to improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient load. Pruning is simple for Francoa; remove flower spikes after they have faded (unless you have the goal of propagating via seed). Plants will grow enough that every few years, they will need to be divided for best health. For instructions on how to divide Francoa plants, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

Francoa can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Bridal Wreath flowers, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Francoa by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Francoa by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (12 inch pots will do, and are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Francoa spent blooms, which hold seeds after petals fade.

Francoa seeds.

Problems and Pests

Although Francoa plants are typically hardy and not susceptible to most pests and diseases, they can have some issues with the following from time to time: