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Products > Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze' PP18,486   Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze' PP18,486 - Taupo Libertia    [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Perennial Family: Iridaceae (Irises) Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) Evergreen: Yes Red/Purple Foliage: Yes Yellow/Chartreuse Foliage: Yes Flower Color: White Bloomtime: Spring Height: 1-2 feet Width: 1-2 feet Exposure: Sun or Shade Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze' (Tapo Libertia) - A clumping perennial with erect narrow sword-like leaves to 18 inches tall. The leaves are a yellow green in summer and darkens in fall and winter to an orange and later with burnt red highlights which holds into mid spring to contrast well with the clusters of white 3 petaled flowers that rise about half as high as the top of the foliage on branched stems and are followed by small yellow-orange seed pods An adaptable plant that will grow in light shade to full sun (where winter color is best) and regular to moderate irrigation. This plant is listed as hardy to around 0° F and plantable to USDA Zone 7 but here in Santa Barbara it is difficult to attest to this claim but it certainly should be as hardy as other Libertia that we grow and tolerate cold snaps down to 10 to 15° F. This plant is great in a small mass planting or used in containers. It is particularly attractive when the foliage is back lit. It was a selected from a crop of Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Sunset' because of its bright colorful winter foliage by Phillip Smith of Taupo Native Plant Nursery in Taupo, New Zealand in 2002 and was introduced worldwide by Lyndale Nurseries of Auckland, New Zealand. San Marcos Growers first received this plant and Libertia 'Goldfinger' for trials in May 2006 and it received US Plant Patent 18,486 on February 12, 2008. It is being marketed in the US by PlantHaven.  The description above is based on our research and observations of this plant growing in our nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens in the Santa Barbara area. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information about this plant, even if they disagree with what we have written.