Ixia Spotlight

Ixias are native to Southern Africa and grow from small winter dormant corms. They like full sun, and a dry well draining soil although they need some moisture whilst in growth. They emerge too early in the year to be really described as hardy here and they are not always easy plants in the British climate although we have had people tell us that they grow them in their gardens and that they self-seed and reappear regularly, though this must be on light sandy soils as ordinarily our winters are too wet and cold for the unprotected bulbs. However for everyone else, they can be treated as annuals by planting them in the early spring and they should certainly produce a worthwhile display the same summer.

Ixia Spotlight is not as tall as Mabel and has white flowers, red striped down the back of each petal and with a dark red spot in the centre of the flower.

Planting Instructions

They prefer brighter conditions or full sun and survive best on really well drained soils as they have evolved to cope with dry South Africa winters, it is our wetter winters that they do not like. Plant out 5" (12cm) deep and 1" (2.5cm) apart, or 10/12 per sq foot.  You could grow them in deep pots filled with John Innes No 2 compost, you would need 10 corms for a 12" (30cm) pot and then in the winter put the pots into somewhere dry to overwinter, the bulbs need no moisture once dormant and could be potted on and started again in the early spring.

Plant Details

Flowers   Summer

Height      20" (48cm)