Cypella under another name.

In habitat these are often found growing from moist grassy or mossy spots in the mountains of Peru, often at elevation of around 2,500m; generally.

At sea level, one must ensure these have good drainage and over winter, they tend to like a bit of moisture. When happy, they set seed freely.

In cultivation, this makes an easy delightful bulbous plant to grow and flower. Having several yellow-green, pleated leaves per corm. Each corm bears glorious bright orange to yellow flowers, each up to around 7-8 cm across.

Although each flower is only short-lived, living in glory for only generally part of the day; they are produced in succession from mid-summer into early fall. Although not particularly hardy in the South Island of New Zealand and the colder parts of the U.K, and U.S.A. these can easily be grown like other Iridaceae; planted in spring and lifted in Fall for a frost free winter storage. Plants at flowering time are around the two foot mark; two thirds of a metre. My old Imperial mind still has trouble translating to Metric.

This Cypella comes from Brazil and Uruguay and Argentina. They are heat lovers, this late flowering summer beauty is a sturdy delight in warmer gardens. The flowers are 50-80cm tall. Over summer, these tend to demand a dry, good freely draining growing postion. I only water mine if the leaf blades seem to be wilting with thirst.

Again, during their winter dormancy, they tend to appreciate an occational watering to flower well the following season. These too set seed freely.

From seed, expect flowers from the third year. When grown from seed one can expect a fair range in the display of colour at flowering time.

This can be grey lilac to lilac blue, even the hue of the yellow throat can vary in seed raised plants.

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