Zea mays 'Ice Lady' – Pastel-colored ornamental corn for borders, containers, and autumn decorations

Zea mays 'Ice Lady' is a beautiful, pastel-colored ornamental corn that stands out with its large, well-filled cobs of approximately 20 cm and subtle, soft hues. This variety is ideal for borders, container plantings, garden beds, and autumn decorations, where the pastel-colored cobs add a refined and striking accent to any garden design. Thanks to its stable growth and good yield, Ice Lady is easy to grow in most parts of Europe.

External characteristics

Ice Lady plants grow upright and sturdy, reaching a height suitable for both borders and pots. The leaves are narrow and long, forming a compact and elegant rosette around the stem.

The cobs are large (about 20 cm) and well-filled, with soft pastel colors like cream, pink, and light yellow. This color combination makes the variety particularly decorative and ideal for autumnal garden scenes, borders, and potted arrangements. The pastel colors distinguish Baby Ice Lady from other ornamental corn varieties and add a refined touch to mixed borders.

Growth and cultivation

Zea mays 'Ice Lady' is easy to grow and produces reliable yields under the right sowing and planting conditions:

• Sowing period: Sow directly from early/mid May in warm soil

• Row spacing: 60–70 cm between rows

• Planting distance within the rows: 15–20 cm

• Maturation time: Approximately 105 days

• Location: Full sun for optimal color development and sturdy stems

• Soil: Well-drained, nutritious and slightly moist

Following these guidelines will help the plants develop sturdy stems with large, colorful spadixes that are perfect for borders, pots, or decorative garden projects.

Flowering and harvest

Ice Lady's cobs mature in approximately 105 days after sowing, depending on the climate and growing conditions. The large, well-filled cobs are perfect for decorative accents in borders, autumn decorations, or dried work, where the pastel shades retain their appeal for a long time.

Applications

Ice Lady is versatile:

• Borders and flowerbeds – Add height, structure and soft colours

• Containers and pots – Ideal as a solitary plant or combined with other ornamental plants and autumn flowers

• Autumn decoration – The pastel-coloured cobs are excellent for dried work or arrangements

• Garden design – Refined accent in modern and natural gardens

Maintenance and tips

For optimal ornamental value of Zea mays 'Ice Lady':

• Keep the soil evenly moist during dry periods

• Provide sufficient sunlight to allow the pastel colours to develop optimally

• Remove any damaged leaves for a neat appearance

• Support plants in windy conditions to prevent breakage

Ornamental value

Zea mays 'Ice Lady' offers a decorative and elegant addition to any garden or border. With its large, well-filled spikes and pastel shades, it's a perfect choice for gardens, containers, and autumn decorations. The plant adds height, color, and texture, making it particularly well-suited for garden designs where subtle, soft colors are desired.