Ixia Mabel

Bold, vibrant and full of summer charm, Ixia 'Mabel' produces dazzling star-shaped flowers in rich cerise-pink to deep magenta, each beautifully highlighted by a dramatic dark plum to black centre. Gracefully carried on slender stems, the blooms seem to float above the fine, grass-like foliage, creating a colourful display that dances in the slightest breeze.

Native to the sunny grasslands of South Africa, Ixias are often known as African Corn Lilies and are prized for their elegant form, brilliant colours and excellent performance as cut flowers. 'Mabel' is one of the most striking pink cultivars, flowering freely over several weeks and producing masses of vivid blooms that contrast beautifully with the dark central eye.

The flowers open fully in bright sunshine and close during dull weather, adding an ever-changing quality to the garden. They are highly attractive to bees and other pollinating insects and combine beautifully with alliums, geums, salvias and ornamental grasses in sunny borders.

Perfect for borders, gravel gardens, containers and cutting gardens, Ixia 'Mabel' thrives in warm, free-draining conditions and rewards gardeners with an elegant yet vibrant display.

A spectacular South African bulb that brings vivid colour, graceful movement and lasting beauty to the early summer garden.

Planting Instructions

When to Plant:

Plant Ixia corms in spring after the risk of hard frost has passed, usually from March to May. In milder parts of the UK with free-draining soil, they may also be planted in autumn.

Where to Plant:
Choose a warm, sunny, sheltered position with light, fertile, free-draining soil. Ixia thrives in borders, gravel gardens, raised beds and containers where drainage is excellent.

How to Plant:

• Depth: Plant corms approximately 5–8 cm (2–3 inches) deep.
• Spacing: Space corms about 8–10 cm (3–4 inches) apart.
• Soil Prep: Incorporate compost into the soil and add grit or sharp sand if drainage is poor.

Watering:
Water well after planting to settle the soil. Keep the soil lightly moist while plants are actively growing, but avoid waterlogging.

Aftercare Tips:

• Remove spent flowers to prolong the display.
• Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering.
• In colder areas or heavy soils, lift the corms after the foliage has died down and store them in a cool, dry, frost-free place until replanting the following spring.

Top Tip:
Plant 'Mabel' in generous drifts with white Ixia such as 'Hogarth' or among ornamental grasses for a vibrant display that also makes exceptional cut flowers.

Plant Details

Flowering Period:
May – June (depending on season and conditions)

Height:
16–20" (40–50cm) (approx.)

Position:
Full sun

Half Hardy Perennial