Belamcanda chinensis (Leopard Lily)

Belamcanda plants and species

Belamcanda chinensis (Leopard Lily) is the most widely available of the species. Preferring a position in part shade to full sun Belamcanda chinensis (Leopard Lily) is fairly easy to grow.

Reaching nearly 1m flowering in Mid summer this colourful plant makes a colourful addition to the garden, although it does have down side. Also known as the Blackberry Lily due to the clusters of fruit and then seed that it produces with ease. This is a plant that will tend to self seed rather easily. Flowers are relatively short lived, only lasting a day or so, however they do all seem to set seed.

The flowers look like lily flowers, orange to red with dark spots. Ornamental but poisonous seed heads are used ornamentally. A yellow flowering species, B. flabellata is also available, more of a shade lover.

Care

These plants are actually a member of the iris family and not a lily at all and had been renamed Iris domestica. And as for how to grow them, in a sunny position and a well drained soil, they will really just take care of themeselves.

 Growing to almost 1m with Sword like foliage Belamcanda chinensis requires a well drained soil and full sun to part shade.  Deadhead after flowering to prevent self seeding.

Grows well in full sun and black berries follow the flowers in late summer. Some new cultivars are available including a yellow flowering plant.

Problems.

As the seeds seem to have the ability to spread and germinate a distance from the parent plant, we think that other plants are more suited to most garden situations.

 We do suggest that if you grow this plant that you deadhead immediately after flowering to prevent it self seeding.