In early summer, one of the most striking sights is the tall blue spikes of Aristea capitata, a member of the Iris family. It grows wild along the lower mountain slopes of the southwestern Cape.

Growing in the garden the plants require full sun to semi-shade and a rich soil that is well-drained, but not too dry and sandy. During the winter and spring the plants require plenty of water.

The plants form thick clumps of long strap-shaped evergreen leaves, which stand upright to 1.5 metres.

The flowers are formed along the top part of the stem, tightly arranged on little branches forming small bunches of buds. There are a few hundred flowers along each stem, but they open only a few at a time and last for less than a day. The 6 bright blue petals of each flower open wide, creating a flat saucer of about 25 mm across with the 3 yellow anthers and sword-shaped stigma in the centre.

By the afternoon the open flowers start to wilt and close with the petals twisting around each other. The flowers are pollinated by pollen-collecting bees that are active early in the day. The old flowering stems remain upright for months after flowering and are quite attractive, turning a rich brown colour.