Description
Ixia Candy Mixed
Ixia Candy Mixed (Ixia Hybrid), also known as Corn Lilies or Wand Flowers, brings vibrant colours and low maintenance to your garden. This hardy perennial, part of the Iridaceae family, is well-suited to a variety of climates, with a particular affinity for warmer regions where it thrives. Ixia Candy Mixed features fine, grassy foliage supporting arching stems topped with star-shaped flowers in a delightful mix of pink, white, yellow, purple, and red hues, often with a contrasting dark centre. A wonderful choice for those who love bold, cheerful garden displays.
Bloom Time and Placement
Blooming from late spring to early summer, Ixia bridges the gap between spring bulbs and summer perennials, extending the garden’s colour display. Preferring well-drained soil and full sun, Ixia can tolerate light shade. It thrives with regular watering during growth and, as a drought-tolerant plant post-bloom, is perfect for low-maintenance gardens or dry spots.
Garden and Indoor Uses
Ixia’s versatile blooms add beauty to outdoor and indoor settings:
- Garden Beds & Borders: Position Ixia at the front for bold impact, especially in clumps for a cheerful display.
- Pots & Containers: Ideal for patios or balconies, Ixia thrives in containers with proper drainage and plenty of sunlight.
- Cut Flowers: With long-lasting blooms and sturdy stems, Ixia makes a stunning addition to floral arrangements.
- Rock & Dry Gardens: Perfect for rockeries and sunny, dry areas, Ixia brings resilience and charm to the landscape.
Climate Adaptability
Ixia thrives across a range of climates, from cool to subtropical, adapting beautifully to diverse conditions. While it flourishes in warmer, drier climates, Ixia tolerates temperatures to 0°C, making it well-suited to cooler areas. It can also be grown in subtropical regions, making it a versatile and reliable choice across Australia.
Care and Planting Tips
Ixia is low maintenance but benefits from simple care:
- Soil: Use well-draining soil, enriched with compost.
- Watering: Water thoroughly after planting; keep soil lightly moist during growth. Reduce watering post-bloom to allow dormancy.
- Fertilising: Apply general purpose fertiliser when growth begins. For containers, top-dress during blooming.
When and How to Plant Ixia
Plant corms in autumn, placing them 5 cm deep and 5-10 cm apart. This timing allows roots to establish as temperatures cool, giving plants a strong start ahead of their late spring to early summer bloom. Aim to complete planting by the end of autumn to ensure robust root growth across various Australian climates.
Aftercare and Division
After blooming, allow foliage to die back naturally to store energy in the corms for the next season. For those in cool to arid regions, corms can generally be left in the ground or containers undisturbed for years, forming beautiful clumps over time. If clumps become too dense, lift and divide them once the foliage dies back, then replant. Gardeners in very wet, humid, or hot summers (like subtropical climates) should lift and store corms to prevent rot.
Ixia Pests and Diseases
Ixia is generally resilient but may face pests like slugs, snails, and aphids, managed with natural deterrents or mild insecticidal soap. Corm rot can occur in poorly draining soil so, plant in well-draining soil and avoid watering during dormancy, except lightly in very hot, dry conditions. Powdery mildew is rare but may appear in humid areas; prevent it with good air circulation and natural fungicides if needed.
Plant Safety Considerations
Ixia isn’t known to be toxic, but caution around ornamental plants is wise. Although rare, some plants in the Iridaceae family may cause mild digestive upset if ingested. Ixia is not a known skin irritant; however, for those with sensitive skin, wearing gloves when handling the plant may offer added comfort. Keep Ixia out of reach of young children and pets. If any part of the plant is ingested and symptoms like nausea or vomiting occur, seek medical advice or consult a veterinarian.
Supplied as dormant corms.