African Iris Dietes
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- dy-EE-teez
- Description
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Fortnight Lily is a rhizomatous perennial producing clumps of long, upright narrow leaves that reach 2-4 feet tall. The flowers rise above the foliage and look like small Japenese irises. It produces many flowers from spring to late summer, with a fortnight (two weeks) of rest between each flowering period. It freely self-seeds so deadhead to reduce seed production.
This plant looks amazing as a groundcover, in a potted container, or in a rock or woodland garden. It has grass-like features and dainty flowers that allow it to stand its own in any garden. Plus, it is low maintenance which can be a plus for any busy gardener. Grow as an annual or dig up rhizomes and store for winter in colder climates. Potted plants can be brought indoors.
When planting, place the woody rhizomes 12 in. apart, 1 per sq. ft., and bury to a depth of 1 in. (2.5 cm). They are injured by temperatures below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) but are tolerant of drought.
Nematodes are the main pest problem. Scales can cover the foliage and cause a severe problem.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Lemon Drops'
- 'Orange Drops'
- 'Lemon Drops'
- 'Lemon Drops', 'Orange Drops'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lemon Drops'
- 'Orange Drops'
- 'Lemon Drops'
- 'Lemon Drops', 'Orange Drops'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dietes
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in traditional medicine to treat cold, flu, headache, toothache, malaria, bruise and various infections.
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Ethiopia to S.outhAfrica, Lord Howe Island
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Drought tolerant
- Bulb Storage:
- Store rhizomes in peat or vermiculite at 41-50 degrees F (5-10 degrees C). Place container plants indoors at 50-65 degrees F (10-18 degrees C).
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Ground Cover
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a, 11b, 11a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 0.5-1 inch obovoid capsule with several seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 3 inch wide flowers are white with yellow and blue markings resembling a small Japenese Iris.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Narrow, sword-shaped, basal, evergreen iris-like leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
