Name: After Dr Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese, a German physician.

Origin: South Africa, first imported to Europe at the end of the 19th century.

Color: Wide range including yellows, red, pinks and white.

Availability: Although available all year their peak period is winter.

Varieties: One of the nicest varieties is "Ballerina", which look like elegant dancers.

Care Tips: Buy them with at least one flower open on the stem. Make sure they have plenty of water and never let the stem ends dry out. Pinch out the topmost buds and remove the old flowerheads to encourage new ones to open. Keep away from fruit, vegetables, and excess heat, as they are very sensitive to the ethylene gas produced.

Facts: Unlike most other flowers, where the white forms smell most strongly, if you want highly scented freesia look for pink and red varieties.