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Painted Lily Iris x norrisii

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • × Pardancanda norrisii
Phonetic Spelling
EYE-ris nor-RISS-ee-eye
Description

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:
  • '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', 'Kiba Giants', 'Sangria'
Tags:
#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#colorful#herbaceous perennial#flowers late summer#dry soils tolerant#flowers mid-fall
 
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', 'Kiba Giants', 'Sangria'
Tags:
#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#colorful#herbaceous perennial#flowers late summer#dry soils tolerant#flowers mid-fall
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are iris-like and form a fan shape.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat