Chinese Blackberry Lily Iris domestica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Belamcanda chinensis
- Belamcanda flabellata
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-ris doh-MESS-tik-a
- Description
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Blackberry lily is a rhizomatous perennial in the Iridaceae (iris) family and is native to Asia. It has iris-like leaves but the flowers resemble a lily and the fruit splits open to reveal a cluster of blackberry like seeds. The orange-spotted flowers appear in sprays of 3-12 in late summer for several weeks.
Well-drained soil is a must, especially in winter as wet soils are fatal. Plant in average moist well-drained garden soil in full sun to partial shade 3-4 in. apart (6-9 per sq. ft.) with a depth of 5 in. to base of the rhizome. They are drought tolerant once established.
Use in the perennial border of a cottage or coastal garden. Mass plant them along a walkway, add them to a cutting garden, or intersperse them throughout a xeric garden.
Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious pest or disease issues. The rhizomes could be affected by iris borers, slugs and snails.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Hello Yellow'
Compact plant with star shaped flowers and sword like foliage.
- 'Hello Yellow'
- 'Hello Yellow'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Hello Yellow'
Compact plant with star shaped flowers and sword like foliage.
- 'Hello Yellow'
- 'Hello Yellow'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Iris
- Species:
- domestica
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The rhizome has been used in Asian herbal medicine
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Himalayas to Russian Far East
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- 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)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Yellow-green and lobed capsules split to reveal blackberry like seed cluster.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Orange/red flowers bloom at the top of the stems in summer (July to August). The 2-inch flowers are mainly orange but have red dots and a tint of yellow at the center of the flower.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Erect green leaves are up to 10 inches long and iris-like. Grows in flattened fans from an underground rhizome.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- wire-like
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Drought
- Insect Pests
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
