Morning Iris or Morning Flag
A small clumping perennial, Orthrosanthus multiflorus with its attractive blue flowers is commonly called the Morning Flag. Although the flowers ar small, they are star shaped, bright and rise well above the foliage.

This is a long flowering plant from late spring well into summer. Grass like evergreen foliage and flowers held on tall stems above make it a standout in the garden.
The native range is in southen Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
This is a plant that will flower in part shade, which makes a very useful plant fr the native garden.



How To grow Orthrosanthus multiflorus – Basic Care
A position in part shade is best in most climates. Dig the soil over well before planting, removing weeds and adding some compost.
Plant and water in with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
Sun/Light
This is a plant that will grow in full sun but performs at its best with light afternoon shade, especially in hotter climate zones. Too little sun will restrict flowering.
Soil
A well drained humus rich soil is best. Mulch around the plant to maintain some moisture and reduce weed competition.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate is by division of established clumps in late winter while the plant is still in dormancy.

Also possible from seed.
Pruning
The only regular maintenance required is the removal of spent flower heads to tidy up the look of the plant.
Pruning is mainly to improve the look of the plant, remove spent flower heads and prune any any old dead foliage. Do this from spring through summer.
It is not recommended to hard prune the whole clump back to ground level.
Landscaping Uses
Orthrosanthus multiflorus is widely used in landscaping for its ornamental value. The flowers are a major attraction and the foliage adds interest through the year.
- When in flower it attracts attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it a great addition to a pollinator-friendly garden.
- It can be used in rock gardens where the plant’s ability to thrive in dry, well-drained soils makes it an ideal choice for rock gardens and xeriscaping.
- It can be mass planted, its natural growth habit forms a dense ground cover that helps prevent soil erosion.
Growing Your Morning Flag In Pots
You can grow Orthrosanthus multiflora in pots, use a specialist Australian Native Plant potting mix for best results as this will provide good drainage.
Repotting may be necessary every 3-4 years to renew the potting mix and allow for the increasing size of the clump.
When repotting, choose a pot will allow 6-9 cm (3 inch) of space bertween the clump and the edge of the pot. This will the clump room to expand and space for the root system to increase.
Orthrosanthus multiflorus Foliage Description
This is a plant with narrow, long leaves that emerge from the base of the plant. The leaves are typically green, with a slight glaucous or bluish tint, giving them a distinctive look.
The foliage grows in tufts, creating a clumping habit. These leaves are slightly curved, making them somewhat grass-like in appearance, and they have a soft texture.
The overall growth habit is compact, but it can spread out as the plant matures.
The common name comes from the flowers which open in the morning.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Orthrosanthus multiflorus
- Common Name – Morning Flag or Morning Iris
- Family – Iridaceae.
- Plant Type: Clump Forming perennial.
- Growth habit: Evergreen.
- Climate Zones: Cool to warm temperate.
- Position – Full sun to afternoon shade.
- Soil – Humus rich moist and well drained, sandy loam to Loam well drained.
- Height – To around .5 to .8 metres
- Spread – To around .5 metre.
- Flowers – Blue to Mauve.
- Flowering time – Late winter to spring.
- Frost tolerant – Light frosts only
- Drought tolerant – Medium