Aristea

(Aris'tea)

DESCRIPTION: These evergreen perennials are natives of South Africa. They have firm-textured, grass-like leaves with stiff tips. The flowers are usually blue and are produced in early summer. They belong to the Iris family.

POTTING: These are good plants to grow in the garden in mild, dry climates such as California's. They can survive in fairly good, well drained soil without any special care. Where winters are cold, they can be grown in pots in a sunny, cool greenhouse or sunroom that has a winter temperature of 45-50 degrees at night. Potted plants need a moderate amount of water at all times and weekly applications of dilute liquid fertilizer from spring through fall.

PROPAGATION: Seeds will sprout readily if they are sown in sandy soil in early fall or spring. They can also be divided in the spring.

VARIETIES: A. capitata (4 ft.); A. compressa (18 in., flowers green, white, and brown); A. Ecklonii (18in.).

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