Plant Profile: Ixia

This striking plant, commonly known as "Corn Lily," actually belongs to the Iris family and is indigenous to the Cape Province of South Africa. Its flowers, which are star-shaped and feature six petals, can reach up to 2.5 inches in size and display vibrant yellow and orange-yellow hues. The plant boasts long, sword-like leaves, while its wiry stems, measuring between 10 to 20 inches, support clusters of these beautiful blooms. Preferring full sun to afternoon shade, this plant thrives in well-drained, highly organic soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. During the growing season, it should be kept moist, but watering should be reduced after the flowers have faded, as the plant enters dormancy in mid-summer. Corms can be lifted from the soil and stored in a cool, dry medium over the winter months. In the spring, replant the corms at a depth of 5 inches (15 cm), spacing them 2-3 inches (7 cm) apart, or place up to six corms in a 6-inch container. These plants are excellent for use in garden beds, borders for fresh cut flowers, and can also be naturalized in meadows.