Iris domestica
Blackberry lily, Leopard lily
Also known as Belamcanda chinensis
- Height × spread
- 0.8m × 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are exotic plants with bright orange six petalled flowers. The petals are orange with bright red spots, or rather, blobs. There are also yellow spots that are most noticeable at base of the petals. The six petals consist of three longer and three shorter ones. They are whorled round the stem tip and there are long slim golden-yellow stamens at the centre. They come from clumps of iris-like strappy leaves and are held on slender branching stems well above the foliage. When the flowers have finished there are papery looking seed pods with clusters of shiny black seeds. These grow from rhizomes and are not long lived. They can only tolerate frost for short periods so protect with a winter mulch.
- Flower colour
- Orange
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.8m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Gravel garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
Spring
Spring - early · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertliser around the plant in early Spring, scratching it into the ground. Keep rhizomes exposed.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Found in
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