Ixia is a beautiful flowering plant that is not very well known. This easy-to-grow plant can add a splash of colour to gardens and is suitable for warmer climates. That's why we want to put ixia in the spotlight, and we have 10 reasons why you should plant ixias today.
What Are Ixias (African Corn Lily)?
Ixia, also known as "wand flower" or "African corn lily", is a colourful flower in the Iridaceae family (Iris family). Originally from South Africa, ixias are praised for their cheerfully bright, star-shaped flowers that come in various colours.
10 Reasons Why You Should Plant Ixia Flowers
1. Ixias Have Beautiful Colours
If you like bright colours, ixia plants are definitely for you. The flowers have beautiful bright colours: red, pink, purple, or yellow. The ixia also comes in softer colours, such as cream, white, and beige. If you're a colour fanatic and can't decide, the ixia mix is the answer. With the ixia mix, you can create a rainbow of colours in your garden.
2. Ixias Brighten Gardens In Spring
Ixia flowers bloom in the spring between March through June. This makes them perfect spring flowers to give your garden a fresh, vibrant, and inviting look. The bright colours are a lovely contrast to the green stems. Planted in groups in borders or containers, they look their best.
3. Ixias Are Perfect For Warmer Climates
Ixia bulbs are originally from South Africa. As a result, they prefer dry, warm climates, for example Southern Europe. Plant the bulbs in full sun or partial shade with well-drained soil to ensure they grow to their full potential. Do you live in a cold climate? You must protect your ixias from frost with good winter storage. This can be done by placing them in a greenhouse where the temperature never gets below freezing.
4. Ixias Are Very Affordable
As an ornamental flower, ixia is surprisingly affordable. This means you can transform your garden into a beautiful sea of ixia flowers by planting many bulbs without breaking the bank.
5. Ixias Are Easy To Grow
Ixias are very easy to grow, reliable, long-lasting, and naturalise well. The flowers also require very little maintenance. Plant ixia bulbs in the autumn before frost sets in. Water once after planting to allow the soil to settle over the bulbs. After that, no further watering is necessary unless there has been no rain for 3–5 days. A splash of water will do. With proper care, ixias will grow and flower without much effort.
Learn more: How to Grow Ixia Bulbs?
6. Ixias Grow A Lot Of Flowers
One of the attractive features of ixia is its abundant flowering. A single bulb can produce multiple stems with up to 20 star-shaped flowers per stem, creating a rich and colourful display in your garden. This makes ixia an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy a full-flowered garden.
7. Ixias Have A Lovely, Light Fragrance
In addition to their visual appeal, ixias have a pleasant, subtle fragrance. The light, floral scent will add an extra dimension to your gardening experience and will make your outdoor space even more attractive.
8. Ixias Are Excellent For Cutting
Ixias not only look beautiful in any garden, they are also ideal as cut flowers. The flowers last a long time in a vase, allowing you to enjoy their beauty not only outdoors but also indoors. This makes them perfect for floral arrangements and decorations. Good to know: we only sell ixias bulbs for outdoors.
9. Ixias Are Loved By Pollinators
Ixias attract a variety of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. These insects are attracted to the bright colours and scents of the flowers. As a result, in spring, you can often see a flurry of activity with insects fluttering and buzzing around the ixia.
10. Ixias Are Suitable For Different Spots
Finally, ixias are versatile and can be incorporated into various garden spots and designs, from cottage gardens to more modern designs. This makes them a favourite among gardeners. Ixias thrive best in groups in gardens, borders, beds, pots, and containers, creating a rich, colourful look.
Choose Your Favourite Ixia Bulbs At DutchGrown
At DutchGrown, you will find a beautiful collection of ixia bulbs. All our top-sized bulbs (around 5 cm (1.97 inches)) are shipped from Holland to all over the UK. Browse our collection of ixia bulbs and choose your favourites for your garden.
