grows 10-30 cm high with panicles of dull yellow flowers. It is deciduous and the seed is sown in autumn.
After the flowers finish in all of the species, the seeds form, in the most beautiful and unusual seed pods which add beauty to the scene. The seeds are furry and quite sticky and damp and also quite soft. They are erratic germinators and when sown in pots, it is best to leave them for a few years as more seed will germinate each season. All of the deciduous species will grow quite well in pots but the evergreen species, which grows very large compared to the others, is best put into the garden. I have had them split the sides of pots: my punishment i suppose for not moving them out sooner.
The statement I have read from one source that they will not flower in pots is false. They flower spendidly each year.
This is a beautiful illustration by Mrs. J Loudon and it is from the Ladies Flower Garden (bulbs) in 1841. The print is an original hand coloured litho, heightened in gum arabic.
The flowers illustrated are Wachendorfia. Approx image size 185 x 235mm.
I hope you will grow some of these lovely South Africans. Seed is always available from Silverhill Seeds in South Africa. They are well worth the effort.
Good growing and please send me an email. I would love to hear from you and get some comments about my page.
I enjoy writing - I hope you enjoy reading.
Bill Richardson - Ixia King
Please take the time to check out my Ixia site Ixia
References:
Bulbous Plants of South Africa
Silverhill Seeds South Africa
Bulbs - Stirling Macoboy
Ladies Flower Garden (bulbs) 1841 - painting by Mrs.J. Loudon.
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