In Stock

Ixia

Wholesale Sales Only

Brighten your garden with Ixia Candy Mixed, a vibrant assortment of colourful blooms that adds a cheerful touch to any landscape. Flowering from late spring to early summer, these hardy perennials will return to delight you year after year. They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, making them perfect for garden beds, lawns, and containers. Ixia can be grown in all climates and is particularly well-suited for warmer areas. They also make excellent cut flowers, lasting up to two weeks in a vase. Elevate your floral displays with Ixia Candy Mixed—order yours today and enjoy the beauty of these charming blooms!

Description

Introduction to Ixia

Ixia (Ixia maculata), also known as Corn Lilies or Wand Flowers, is a vibrant and hardy corm perennial, belonging to the Iridaceae family, which also includes irises. Native to South-Western Africa, these stunning plants are well-suited to a variety of climates, with a particular affinity for warmer regions where they truly thrive. Ixia is known for its fine, grassy foliage and elegant, arching stems that bear masses of star-shaped flowers in a variety of colours, including white, orange, red, purple, and yellow, often highlighted by a contrasting dark centre.

Flowering from late spring into early summer, Ixia helps bridge the gap between spring-blooming bulbs and summer-flowering perennials, extending the garden’s colour display. They prefer well-draining soil and thrive in full sun, although they can tolerate light shade. During the growing and blooming phase, they benefit from regular watering to support their vibrant blooms, but once they finish flowering, these plants become drought-tolerant, making them an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens or dry, sunny spots.

Benefits and Uses of Ixia

Ixia is a versatile and rewarding plant that offers a range of benefits for both the garden and indoor displays. Known for its vibrant blooms, strong stems, and adaptability, Ixia can enhance your garden in multiple ways. Here are some key benefits and practical uses for this striking perennial:

Benefits of Growing Ixia

  • Long-lasting Cut Flowers: Ixia’s tall, strong stems make them excellent for cut flower arrangements, with blooms that can last up to two weeks in a vase, adding a touch of elegance to your home.
  • Low Maintenance: Once established, Ixia is drought-tolerant and requires minimal care, making it ideal for gardeners looking for easy-to-grow plants that still offer a stunning display.
  • Extended Blooming Season: Ixia flowers from late spring into early summer, helping to bridge the gap between spring-blooming bulbs and summer perennials, ensuring continuous colour in your garden.
  • Ideal for Warm Climates: Well-suited to warmer regions, Ixia thrives in full sun and handles heat well, making it a great choice for Mediterranean and subtropical gardens.

Uses of Ixia

  1. Garden Beds and Borders: Ixia works beautifully in garden beds and borders, where their vibrant, star-shaped flowers create a striking display. Plant Ixia at the front of a bed for the best impact, and for a natural look, consider planting them in clumps. Like most spring-flowering bulbs, placing three to five corms in each hole will provide a fuller, more impressive display.
  2. Pots and Containers: Ixia is well-suited for growing in pots and containers, making them an excellent choice for patios, balconies, or small garden spaces. Their upright growth and bright flowers bring life and colour to confined areas, and their drought tolerance is ideal for container gardening.
  3. Cut Flower Gardens: Ixia makes fantastic cut flowers, thanks to their tall, strong stems. Their blooms can last up to two weeks in a vase, making them a favourite for fresh floral arrangements. Their striking appearance and long vase life add elegance and beauty to any indoor setting.
  4. Rock Gardens: Due to their drought-tolerant nature, Ixia can be a great addition to rock gardens. They thrive in well-drained, sandy soils and bring a splash of colour to these typically minimalist settings.
  5. Mass Plantings or Naturalised Areas: For a meadow-like effect, Ixia can be naturalised in garden areas or planted in large drifts. This creates a stunning display of colour, especially when mixed with other spring and summer flowering bulbs.
  6. Lawn Plantings: Ixia can be planted directly into lawns, where their delicate flowers will pop up through the grass, creating a beautiful naturalised look. Just like in garden beds, planting in clusters of three or five corms will result in a more eye-catching display.
  7. Warm Climate Gardens: Ixia excels in gardens located in warmer climates, such as Mediterranean or subtropical areas. They handle the heat well and provide a continuous burst of colour through late spring and early summer.
Growing Ixia in Different Climates

Ixia is a versatile plant that adapts well to various climates but thrives best in warmer, drier regions. Planting Ixia when the soil is cool helps the corms establish strong roots before the arrival of warmer temperatures. Here’s a quick guide to its care based on climate:

Cool and Temperate Climates

  • Planting Time: Autumn (March to May).
  • Care Tips: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Light mulch can help protect corms from cold conditions.

Mediterranean Climates

  • Planting Time: Mid-autumn (April to May).
  • Care Tips: Ideal conditions for Ixia, with full sun and well-draining soil. Water during growth, then let the soil dry out post-flowering.

Semi-Arid and Arid Climates

  • Planting Time: Autumn to early winter (April to June).
  • Care Tips: Water regularly during growth, and provide some shade during the hottest part of the day. Drought-tolerant once established.

Subtropical Climates

  • Planting Time: Late autumn to early winter (May to June).
  • Care Tips: Position in the morning sun with afternoon shade. Ensure soil drains well to prevent corm rot.

Warm and Humid Climates

  • Suitability: Ixia is best suited to dry heat rather than humid conditions, as excess moisture can cause corm rot. Use containers to improve drainage and control soil moisture in these regions.
What to Do When Your Ixia Arrives

Taking the right steps when your Ixia corms arrive is essential to ensure they remain healthy and ready for planting. Here’s how to handle them depending on their arrival time:

1. If They Arrive During the Planting Time Frame

  • Plant Immediately: If your Ixia corms arrive during their recommended planting period (April to June), it’s best to plant them directly into garden beds, pots, containers, or naturalised areas. Ensure the soil is well-draining and cool to support healthy root development, and plant in clusters to create a more naturalised effect.
  • Water Well: After planting, water the corms thoroughly to help settle them into the soil and encourage root growth.

2. If You Have to Wait to Plant

  • Storage Conditions: If you’re unable to plant the corms right away, store them in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, such as a cupboard, garage, or shed. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, heat, or humidity.
  • Storage Materials: Keep the corms in their original aerated packaging, or transfer them to a paper bag or open tray to improve airflow and prevent moisture build-up.
  • Check Regularly: Inspect the corms periodically for any signs of mould or rot, and ensure they remain dry until it’s time to plant.

3. If You Are at the End of the Planting Time Frame

  • Late Planting: If your Ixia corms arrive near the end of the planting window, plant them as soon as possible to give them a chance to establish before temperatures get too warm.
  • Consider Containers: If the ground conditions are no longer suitable, consider planting the corms in containers. This allows you to control the environment better and extend their growing period by moving the pots to cooler spots as needed.

4. When to Plant Again

  • Timing for Next Planting Season: If you need to store the corms until the next planting season, plan to plant them in mid to late autumn (April to May) when the soil cools down. This timing ensures they have the best conditions to establish strong roots before the warmer months.
Ixia Planting Guide

Ixia is a versatile and beautiful plant that thrives in a variety of settings, from garden beds and containers to naturalised areas. Follow these steps to ensure successful planting, regardless of where or in which climate you grow them.

What You Will Need:

  • Soil or Potting Mix: Well-draining soil, such as sandy loam or a commercial blend designed for flowering plants.
  • Compost or Organic Matter: To improve soil fertility and structure.
  • Well-Broken Down Animal Manure: For enriching the soil before planting.
  • Sand: To enhance drainage in heavier soils.
  • Containers (if needed): Ensure pots and containers have adequate drainage holes.
  • Garden Tools: A hand trowel or small spade for digging.

Step-by-Step Planting Instructions

1. Choose the Right Location

  • Garden Beds and Borders: Select a sunny to partially shaded spot with well-draining soil.
  • Naturalising: Choose areas where you can plant Ixia in clusters to create a naturalised look.
  • Pots and Containers: Use containers with good drainage to prevent waterlogging. Place in a location that receives full sun to part shade.

2. Prepare the Soil

  • Garden Beds: Loosen the soil to a depth of about 20 cm. Work in well-broken-down animal manure or compost to enrich the soil and improve its structure.
  • For Heavy Soils: If the soil isn’t particularly well-draining, sprinkle a layer of sand under the corms before planting to help with drainage.
  • Pots and Containers: Use a high-quality potting mix designed for flowering plants, enriched with compost or organic material to support root growth.

3. Plant the Corms

For Garden Beds and Borders:

  • Depth: Plant Ixia corms at a depth of about 5 cm, with the pointed end facing down.
  • Spacing: Space corms about 5-10 cm apart to give them room to grow and ensure good air circulation.
  • Positioning: Ensure the corms are in well-draining soil to avoid root rot. Plant in clusters to create a more vibrant display.

For Naturalising Areas:

  • Depth: Plant corms at a depth of about 5 cm in well-draining soil.
  • Spacing: Plant in groups of 3-5 corms together, with each group spaced about 5-10 cm apart for a clustered effect.
  • Positioning: While Ixia can naturalise moderately, it does not spread aggressively and can be easily removed or controlled if desired.

For Pots and Containers:

  • Depth: Plant corms about 5 cm deep, with the pointed end facing down.
  • Spacing: Space corms about 5-10 cm apart to allow room for growth within the confined space of the container.

Positioning: Use a well-draining potting mix designed for flowering plants. Ensure the container has adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

4. Watering

  • Initial Watering: Water the soil thoroughly after planting to help settle the corms in place.
  • During Growth: Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing and blooming phase but avoid overwatering to prevent waterlogged conditions.
  • After Flowering: Once the plants finish flowering, allow the soil to dry out gradually, as Ixia prefers to dry off during dormancy.

5. Mulching (if needed)

  • Cool and Temperate Climates: Apply a light layer of mulch to protect the corms from extreme cold and help retain soil moisture.
  • Warmer Climates: Mulching is not typically necessary but can help with moisture retention in arid conditions.

6. Fertilising

  • Feeding: Once new growth begins to appear, apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser to support the plant’s development and encourage healthy blooms. After this initial feeding, Ixia typically does not require further fertiliser for the remainder of the season.

7. Climate-Specific Considerations

  • Cool and Temperate Climates: Plant Ixia corms in early spring or autumn for best results, ensuring they receive plenty of sunlight.
  • Mediterranean and Semi-Arid Climates: Ideal planting time is mid to late autumn, with plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil.
  • Subtropical Climates: Plant in late autumn to early winter, in the morning sun with afternoon shade to avoid the intense heat.
  • Humid or Tropical Climates: Use containers with excellent drainage to manage soil moisture and prevent corm rot, even though Ixia prefers drier environments.

8. Naturalising Ixia

  • Plant in clusters for a naturalised effect in open garden areas or grassy fields.
  • Ixia grows moderately and can be easily managed or removed if you prefer to regulate its spread.

General Planting Tips for All Uses

  • Positioning: Ixia performs best in full sun but can tolerate part shade, especially in warmer regions.
  • Soil: Always ensure that the soil or potting mix is well-draining to prevent rot.
  • Spacing: Keep adequate spacing between corms to allow for growth and air circulation, which helps prevent disease.
Growing Ixia in Pots and Containers

Ixia can be easily grown in pots and containers, making them ideal for patios, balconies, and small garden spaces. Here are the key details to consider:

  • Container Size: Choose a pot that is at least 15-20 cm deep and wide to ensure adequate drainage and root growth.
  • Soil Type: Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. Mixing in sand or perlite can enhance drainage.
  • Watering Needs: Ixia requires regular watering during the growing phase, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. After blooming, reduce watering to help the corms dry out as they enter dormancy.
  • Light Requirements: Position the pots in a location that receives full sun for at least 6 hours a day to promote robust growth and vibrant blooms.
  • Climate Considerations: Ixia is particularly suited for warmer climates, but in cooler regions, consider moving pots to a frost-free location during winter and applying mulch to retain moisture.
  • Fertilising: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser when planting and again at the start of the growing season. Ixia generally requires minimal fertilisation.
Harvesting Ixia for Flower Arrangements

Ixia is a fantastic cut flower, prized for its tall, sturdy stems and vibrant, star-shaped blooms that can last up to two weeks in a vase. Whether used in mixed arrangements or displayed on their own, Ixia flowers bring a striking touch to any floral display. To get the most out of your Ixia, follow these essential steps for harvesting and care:

  • Timing: Harvest when the first buds are just starting to open, ideally in the early morning when the flowers are most hydrated.
  • Cutting Technique: Cut the stems at a slight angle, about 1-2 cm above the base. Remove any leaves below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Sap Management: Let the cut stems sit in water for 30 minutes to an hour before arranging with other flowers to allow any sap to drain.
  • Post-Harvest Care: Keep the vase in a cool spot away from direct sunlight and change the water every 2-3 days, trimming the stems slightly with each water change.

For further information regarding harvesting Ixia for floral arrangements and display, please click here.

Ixia Aftercare Guide

Caring for Ixia after their blooming season is crucial for maintaining healthy plants and ensuring a vibrant display year after year. Here’s what you need to know:

Watering and Foliage Care: Once Ixia finishes blooming, gradually reduce watering to allow the corms to enter dormancy. For potted plants, move them to a dry, shaded area. Let the foliage die back naturally to help the corms store energy, trimming only when it has fully yellowed and dried.

Lifting and Storing Corms: In cooler, temperate, Mediterranean, and semi-arid regions, Ixia corms can generally be left in the ground or containers without disturbance, as these climates are more suited to their natural dormancy.

In wet, humid, or hot summers like those found in subtropical climates, it’s best to lift and store the corms to prevent rot. Dry them in a cool, shaded area before placing them in a well-ventilated space.

Soil and Fertilising: For corms left in the ground, lightly top-dress the soil with compost before the new growth appears to restore nutrients. For lifted corms, improve the planting area with compost just before replanting to encourage strong growth.

Pests and Diseases: Watch for common pests like aphids, slugs, and snails. Manage infestations with neem oil or organic insecticides. Ensure well-draining soil to prevent corm rot and promote air circulation to reduce the risk of powdery mildew.

Replanting and Soil Health: Replant lifted corms in late autumn to early winter based on your climate. Resume regular watering when new growth appears, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. If soil health does not improve after topping up with compost, consider replacing the corms every 2-3 years for consistent blooms.

For further information on caring for Ixia after their blooming season and maintaining their health, please click here.

Ixia Pests and Diseases

Ixia is generally resilient but can occasionally face common garden pests and diseases. Here’s how to identify, prevent, and manage these issues effectively:

1. Slugs and Snails

  • Signs: Ragged holes in leaves.
  • Prevention: Use barriers like crushed eggshells or copper tape around the plants to deter these pests.
  • Treatment: Hand-pick slugs and snails or use pet-safe slug pellets to manage infestations.

2. Aphids

  • Signs: Curled or wilting leaves caused by clusters of tiny insects.
  • Prevention: Encourage natural predators like ladybugs in the garden to control aphid populations.
  • Treatment: Spray affected areas with neem oil or a mild insecticidal soap.

3. Corm Rot

  • Signs: Soft, mushy corms and yellowing or stunted growth due to overly wet soil.
  • Prevention: Plant in well-draining soil and reduce watering during dormancy to prevent waterlogged conditions.
  • Treatment: Remove and discard affected corms, and improve soil drainage before replanting healthy ones.

4. Powdery Mildew (Rare)

  • Signs: White, powdery spots on leaves in humid conditions.
  • Prevention: Ensure good air circulation around plants and avoid overhead watering.
  • Treatment: Apply a natural fungicide like neem oil or a baking soda solution to treat affected areas.
Ixia Plant Safety Considerations

Ixia is not widely known to be toxic to humans or pets, but it is always wise to exercise caution around ornamental plants. Although there are no specific reports of toxicity associated with Ixia, some plants in the Iridaceae family can cause mild digestive upset if ingested. To be safe, it’s best to keep Ixia out of reach of young children and curious pets.

For those with sensitive skin, handling Ixia’s foliage or sap might cause mild irritation, even though the plant is not typically a known skin irritant. Wearing gloves while handling the plant is recommended if you have sensitive skin. If any part of the plant is accidentally ingested and symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or drooling occur, seek medical advice or consult a veterinarian for pets as a precaution.

 

 

 

close
Shopping cart
close