About
This cormous perennial with narrow, upright leaves and spikes of 12 or more pale bluish-green flowers with black centres produced in spring and early summer.
About the genus
Ixia are cormous perennials with narrowly-linear leaves and colourful, star-shaped flowers carried on wiry stems
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toS Africa
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass, plant corms 10-15cm deep in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added leaf mould and sharp sand. Grow in full light, watering sparingly until flower spikes appear, then water freely and apply high potash liquid feed every two to three weeks until foliage fades. Outdoors grow in well-drained soil in full sun in frost-free areas, or lift corms in autumn and store in dry, frost-free conditions while dormant
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown when ripe in containers in a cold frame, or by separating offsets in late summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free