Ixia

Ixias, also known as corn lilies, are frost-tender bulbous plants native to South Africa. Belonging to the iris family, Ixias are hardy in a Mediterranean climate, where they appreciate mild winters and dry summers when they go into dormancy. The leaves are narrow, linear and medium green, arranged in a fan shape. From June to August, Ixias produce star-shaped flowers, often marked with a dark macule at the centre, contrasting with the rest of the corolla. They are arranged along a slender stem 30 to 40 centimetres (12 to 16 inches) tall, and display a wide range of colours, which are always vibrant. These sturdy stems, abundantly adorned, produce beautiful cut flowers.

Plant Ixia corms in spring in full sun in a rich and well-drained soil at a depth of 10 cm (4in). In pots, use a mixture of turf, leaf compost, and fine river sand. Water sparingly until the appearance of the flower spikes. Provide a potassium-rich fertilizer during growth. Their hardiness ranges from -5°C (41°F) to -10°C (14°F) depending on the species and varieties.