Widely used in landscaping, Dietes grandiflora or Wild Iris as it is commonly called is from southern Africa.
Grown for the evergreen foliage as well as the colourful flowers it is easy care and makes a great plant for mass planting in full sun to a little shade.
This is a large plant reaching up to 1.5m (4 – 5 ft) in height. The foliage is sword shaped and held upright.
The flowers appear from spring through summer and stems will actually produce flowers over a few years, so although the spent flower heads themselves should be removed , the flower stems themselves should not be pruned away.
Widely used in landscaping, and often seen in roadside plantings, Dietes grandiflora or Wild Iris as it is commonly called is from southern Africa.
Grown for the evergreen foliage as well as the colourful flowers it is easy care and makes a great plant for mass planting in full sun to a little shade.
The flower stems will actually produce flowers over a few years, so although the spent flower heads themselves should be removed , the flower stems themselves should not be pruned away.
Care
Once established these are a very low care plant. They will need to be divided after 4 – 5 years to promote good flowering.
When planting a spacing of around 40cm apart will be suitable as the plants will spread reasonably quickly to cover the area.
- Plant in full sun for best flowering
- Choose a well drained soil.Water in well after flowering.
- Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool moist root run.
- Fertilise using a general purpose slow release fertiliser once a year.
- Water during long dry spells during summer to maintain appearance.
Pruning Dietes grandiflora
Pruning is the only real maintenance required and it is a hard prune that is required to refresh the foliage. The whole plant being pruned right back to ground level.
After pruning its time to fertilise and water, within a month or so new growth will appear and the clump will be revitalised.
You can also selectively trim away spent flower spikes and dead foliage. Remembering that the flowering spikes can produce flowers over a long period.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Dietes grandiflora
- Common Name – Wild Iris, Fortnight Lily
- Position – Full sun to a little shade.
- Soil – Well drained.
- Height – To around 80 cm in height
- Spread – Clump forming over time
- Flowers – White with mauve and yellow
- Flowering Time – Spring to summer,
- Foliage – Strap like evergreen foliage, mid to deep green in cooler.
- Frost tolerant – Mild frosts
- Drought tolerant – Yes
Dietes grandiflora are available for sale from the following participating nurseries
862 Midland Highway Mount Rowan Vic 3352
We offer over 245 varieties of Fuchsia, tubestock, pots, baskets and standards. Mail order specialists. Open 7 days by appointment.
www.brenlissaonlinenursery.com.au