Corn Lily

Plant ixia corms in autumn, four inches deep and three to four inches apart, in a sheltered, sunny location with excellent drainage. In their native South Africa, these corms experience wet winters and bone-dry summers, so Mediterranean and coastal climates with dry summers are ideal. In colder or wetter climates, grow ixia in pots in a cool greenhouse or cold frame where moisture can be controlled.

During the winter and spring growing season, provide consistent moisture through rainfall or careful watering. The narrow, grass-like foliage emerges in autumn and the extraordinary flowers, including the rare turquoise-green of Ixia viridiflora, appear in late spring. Once flowers fade and foliage begins to yellow, stop watering entirely.

In zones below 7, lift corms after foliage dies back, dry them in a warm place for a week, and store in paper bags at room temperature through summer. Replant in autumn. In mild climates where corms can remain in the ground, plant in raised beds or against warm walls where summer rain cannot reach them. Avoid heavy clay soils which hold too much moisture.

Ixia is a genus of cormous flowering plants in the family Iridaceae, comprising roughly 50 species that are exclusively native to the Western Cape region of South Africa. These plants evolved in the fynbos biome, one of the most biodiverse plant communities on Earth, where they adapted to the Mediterranean-type climate characterised by cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The genus was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, based on specimens collected by early Dutch and British botanists exploring the Cape Colony. The name Ixia derives from the Greek word 'ixos,' meaning birdlime, a reference to the sticky sap produced by the plant's stems. European collectors were captivated by the vivid flower colours and unusual star-shaped blooms, and by the late eighteenth century, Ixia corms were being shipped to botanical gardens in the Netherlands, England, and France. During the Victorian era, Ixia became a fashionable greenhouse plant in Britain, where horticulturists crossed different species to create hybrid cultivars with larger flowers and a broader palette of colours. The most celebrated species, Ixia viridiflora, caused a sensation when it was first exhibited due to its extraordinary turquoise-green petals with dark purplish-black centres. By the early twentieth century, Dutch bulb growers had taken over commercial production, developing robust cultivars suited to garden conditions across temperate Europe. Today, Ixia hybrids are widely grown as ornamental spring-flowering bulbs in Mediterranean climates, coastal California, Australia, and frost-free parts of the Pacific Northwest. In their native South Africa, several Ixia species face conservation pressure from agricultural expansion and habitat loss in the Cape lowlands, and some are now classified as vulnerable or endangered under South African red list assessments.

Ixia demands sharply drained, sandy or gravelly soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Heavy or water-retentive soils will cause corm rot. Amend clay soils generously with coarse sand and grit, or plant in raised beds with a free-draining mix. Apply a light dressing of bone meal at planting time. Feed with a dilute liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the active growing season. Cease all feeding and watering as foliage yellows.

Cut ixia flower stems for arrangements when the first two or three flowers on the spray have opened. The wiry stems with their jewel-bright flowers create delicate, airy bouquets. Place in cool water immediately after cutting and display in a bright location. Cut flowers last five to seven days. The unusual colors, especially the turquoise-green varieties, are stunning in floral design. Allow some stems to remain on the plant to set seed for future propagation.

After foliage dies back in early summer, lift corms in climates with wet summers. Brush off soil, remove the spent outer husk, and dry in a warm, well-ventilated location for one to two weeks. Store in paper bags or mesh containers at room temperature in a dry place. Corms are small and can desiccate if stored too long, so replant in autumn promptly. In dry-summer climates, corms can remain in the ground year-round.