African Corn Lily
Family
Iridaceae
Origin
South Africa
Description
Ixia (Ixia spp.) is a beautiful flowering plant boasting star-shaped flowers in a range of colours including pink, red, white, blue and purple.
Some distinctive traits include sword-like leaves and long wiry stems with star-shaped flowers. The popular corn lily has specific, not very intense fragrance. It is often visited by many insects such as bees.
Ixia Mabel showcases vibrant petals with crimson and brownish-red shades.
Ixia ‘Mabel’ bulbs produce purple star-shaped flowers and are a robust corm well-suited for sunny borders. They flower from February to April in plains and from March to May in hilly regions. Plant during October to November in both plains and hills.
Environment
Ixia are easily grown in moderately fertile, humus-rich soil that is moist but well-drained. They thrive in full sun or partial shade where they will multiply rapidly and readily. Ixia are also drought tolerant (once established), salt tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant. They should be planted in clumps of 12 or more. Plant the bulbs with the pointy side facing upwards, 8-13 cm deep, spacing them 8-10 cm apart.
Ixia may be grown in containers - make sure you select a large pot with drainage holes.
Landscape Use
Ixia make excellent border plants, providing color and contrast to the perennial border.
