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Re: Nivenia, Klattia, and Witsenia

Dear Linda,

I don't have answers to all of your questions but I have some information
about one of these genera. By most people's standards the Nivenia species
are Mediterranean-type plants. They are shrubby members of the Iris family.
There are eight or ten species and they may be still counting.
I have seen two of them in South Africa, in the Cape Province but I have
not grown them nor do I know anybody who does. I am told they can be raised
from seed.

In their native place, in the mountains, the winter rainfall is
substantial. While summers are dry but they grow among rocks so that their
roots can find moisture deeper down. Some shade seems necessary. I'd say
they would do better in northern than in southern California for those
reasons. The flowers of N. stokoei are dark blue. They have a tube several
inches long that opens out to petals about1 to 2 inches across. Hardly
glamorous plants, but you'll be the only one to have them in your area.
Maybe you should buy the book and let me know if it is worthwhile!

Andrew
San Diego, California
awilson@fda.net
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