The flowers are about an inch across and the plants grow to around 18"-24" tall. They have the habit of falling over after rain but continue to flower. They produce quantities of small bulblets (spawn) but usually produce flower stalks each year. I know they're hardy down to -7C and they tend to shrink in very hot dry soils. A loose silty clay suits them quite well - light on recent/new compost. They will grow and flower in pots; so if you're in doubt then plant them up in the autumn and keep in a sheltered, warm position with reliable water over the winter. Not too many to a pot (3-4 to a 6" pot) and allow enough depth for the long tap root, like a crocus's, that emerges from the small bulbs. Excellent drainage required. The 'yummy' varieties are the green and blue Ixias. The 'common' colours are also lovely - deep rose, white, cream with a brown eye, yellow and so on.

ARe you looking for plants or cuttings?

I enjoy getting up to the Bot Garden at least once every month, but it is only a 5 minute drive for me! The blue South African bulbs are not Ixia, but Babiana, so you know what to ask for if this is really what you want. I know that Suncrest Wholesale Nursery has several color selections of these, your local retail nursery can order them in. Also Annie's Annuals grows a couple of Babiana species as well. I haven't met that many people willing to let loose a large puya into their garden, I hope you have the room. I also like them, but I would advise to lay down weed fabric all around it and up close now while it is small, because weeding around one of them is murder.

Apologies for the lateness of this message. Was busy for quite a while, not tuned in. I do agree w/ the above message from Greenwitch re. drainage. I've grown Ixias in pots for 20 yrs, in Central Coast Calif. & No. Cal. climates. In the fall I place about 20 corms on top of planting mix in a med. to lg. pot, cover w/ about 1" of soil mix ,place in a protected spot & water during the winter if we have a dry spell. In Oregon you'll have to find a frost protected spot & not allow them to remain soaked. Have a conservatory or protected place under the eaves? that should work, covered w/ a fluffy mulch like pine needles or something. Foliage (spearlike) begins to emerge in spring (remove the mulch) after Dutch bulbs have bloomed. I water during bloom & fertilize sparingly. They like a warm spot, so place near a west or south wall. I use the cut blooms inside for arrangements - great colors. When foliage browns & looks tacky, move pot to storage area, (move to garage or shed?) in protected area out of rain or sprinklers. allow to dry thoroughly. Cut foliage back to ground when totally brown. In the fall, bring them out & begin watering. Easy, easy, they'll bloom for years this way. Ixias are wonderful additions to my front entry, fun & uncommon.