Ipheion uniflorum Jessie

L'Ipheion uniflorum 'Jessie' is a recent cultivar, notable for the intense and vibrant blue colour of its flowers, which appear for three months from late winter to late spring. Like all ipheions, this small bulbous plant has grass-like foliage that releases an onion-like fragrance when crushed. Very hardy and easy to grow in any well-drained soil, it goes dormant in summer, unaffected by heat and drought. It readily naturalizes on slopes, in rockeries, or borders.

Ipheion uniflorum or Tristagma uniflora is a simple-looking small bulbous plant, native to South America (specifically the meadows and rockeries of Argentina). It belongs to the family of liliaceae, like garlic and onion, among others. The cultivar 'Jessie' is a recent English cultivar, distinguished by its very vibrant colour, probably the most intense blue ever obtained among ipheions. The bulb produces a clump of narrow, pale blue-green leaves from late summer, standing upright at a height of 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8in) when flowering. The leaves completely disappear in summer.

In late winter (February-March), solitary flowers appear, with a honey fragrance, measuring 2 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter, blue in colour with a contrasting black center and yellow stamens. They are directed upwards and take the shape of stars, composed of 6 narrow petals. In cold climates, its long flowering period starts at the same time as the first crocuses, reaching its peak in March and April, and ending in May with the arrival of summer heat. In mild climates, the flowering extends from December to May. Very hardy in well-drained soil, this plant requires dry and hot summers. It multiplies rapidly through the production of numerous bulblets.

Ipheion 'Jessie' pairs well with Muscari armeniacum or Zephiranthes candida, for example, two other equally easy-to-grow small bulbous plants. It can also be planted under deciduous bushes, accompanied by perennials to create a layered effect of flowering. It spreads in borders, rockeries, at the front of flower beds, along well-exposed walls, or even in pots. Pick the flowers as soon as they bloom if you want to make bouquets. Ipheion is also an excellent ground cover, sometimes even invasive.