When it comes to exploiting the hot end of the spectrum, these flowers excel. Vibrant reds, fiery orange, gleaming white, cream, salmon pink and yellow - all unite in a seemingly endless array of combinations. These flowers are borne on slender branched or unbranched stems from 30-45cm in height. This little group of fifteen species comes from the South African Cape, where their superb colours illuminate the veld from spring, through to early summer. Sparaxis grow from small, rounded corms covered with a pale fawn or cream coloured tunic and, as with most iris relatives, they produce a neat flattened fan of lance-shaped leaves. These bulbs need just 5cm of soil over them and can often be planted by just poking them in with your finger. Plant around 7cm apart in a sunny, sheltered location with good drainage.