Guide to growing garden plants - Ixiolirion Tartar Lily

Members of the Ixiolirion genus can be grown as either hardy bulbs or annuals in the garden.

They reach from 30 to 40cm in height and carry delightful funnel shaped flowers of blue.

Their size makes them good plants for rock gardens use to fill in the gaps of drystone walls.

Some of the common names for Ixiolirion include Tartar Lily, Siberian Lily and Lily of the Altai.

How to grow Tartar lily

The bulbs of tartar lilies should be burried about 5cm deep and 10cm apart in the spring; into a sunny part of the garden. Ideally the soil should be dry and sandy. If you are growing Tartar lilies and other Ixiolirion species members from seed then sow on the surface and lightly cover the seed; this should be done before the last frost of spring.

If you are first planning to grow tartar lily indoors then they should be started about two to two and a half months before putting out (following the last frost of spring). Tartar lilies will take from one to three months to germinate at a temperature of 10 degrees centigrade.

Caring for tartar lily and other Ixiolirion

Once growing it is necessary to apply a top dressing of manure in the spring. In very cold areas bring the bulbs of Ixiolirion indoors and store in a cool dry place through the winter.