Orchid Lily Iris x norrisii
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- × Pardancanda norrisii
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-ris nor-RISS-ee-eye
- Description
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Candy lily is an iris in the Iridaceae family and is a cross between Iris domestica (the Blackberry Lily) and Iris dichotoma (the Vester Iris). The 'x' in the name means that it is a hybrid between two different species.
Candy lily is a herbaceous, short-lived perennial, lasting 3 to 4 years. The mature plant can reach 2 to 3 feet high with flowers that last just one day, but the plant will keep blooming for weeks in summer. The flowers are saucer shaped and come in colors of yellow, orange, pink, purple and red. The species name norrisii honors amateur gardener Samuel Norrisis, who created the cross.
Candy lily does best in full sun to part shade with a medium to dry level of watering in well drained, dry, rocky, or sandy soils. The plant will tolerate summer heat and drought, but can require a light winter mulch in cooler climates, such as USDA Zone 5. The plant will self sow and can be easily propagated by seeds or cuttings.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Dazzler'
Dwarf featuring 6-petaled, saucer-shaped flowers (2" across) in a variety of colors. - 'Kiba Giants'
Flower colors vary between yellow, red and violet. - 'Sangria'
Deep purple and golden yellow patterned petals.
- 'Dazzler'
- 'Dazzler', 'Kiba Giants', 'Sangria'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Dazzler'
Dwarf featuring 6-petaled, saucer-shaped flowers (2" across) in a variety of colors. - 'Kiba Giants'
Flower colors vary between yellow, red and violet. - 'Sangria'
Deep purple and golden yellow patterned petals.
- 'Dazzler'
- 'Dazzler', 'Kiba Giants', 'Sangria'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Iris
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The seedpods split to show black seeds, similar to the blackberry lily.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Blossoms in July and August. Individual, six parted, flowers last only one day, but the plant continues to produce blossoms.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are iris-like and form a fan shape.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Rock Wall
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
