Dietes iridioides (African Iris)

Dietes iridioides (African Iris) Details

Dietes iridioides, commonly known as the African Iris or Fortnight Lily, is grown for its showy flowers and foliage. It produces dainty flowers that are white with the outer petals marked with brown streaks near the base and are held on wiry stems through spring and summer. Each bloom, however, only lasts a day or so with new flowers opening continuously. It grows as a clump with the foliage comprising sword-like, dark green leaves. This herbaceous perennial typically grows to 70 cm tall and 40 cm wide, performing best when planted in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained site. African Iris plants are tolerant of wind, frost, cool climates, and dry periods, with storage roots enabling it to regrow and expand each year if it dies back during winter. Dietes iridioides is commonly used in cottage gardens, public gardens, mixed plantings, borders, or mass planted on a bank. The Fortnight Lily is a great plant for using anywhere in a NZ garden where a tough, yet attractive specimen is required.