The Wild iris
If you are looking for a tough, reliable, low maintenance plant, then Dietes are one to consider.
Sometimes called the ‘Wild Iris’ or ‘African Iris’ and also the ‘Fortnight Iris’ a number of species have become popular as landscaping plants.
A common feature is the evergreen strap like foliage, the leaves stand stiffly upright, and over time the plant will form a dense clump. They spread slowly by underground rhizomes and will out compete most other plants without being invasive. You will not find many weeds in a clump of Dietes.
Drought tolerant, able to cope with heat as well as cold, however not great in frosts. They are excellent for growing in areas that are difficult for other plants and for positions where you want a really low maintenance plant.
The flowering habit is interesting, Dietes produce a flowering stem, seperate to the foliage.
How To Grow Dietes – Basic Care
Once established, these plants require little care. However after 5 – 6 years, the clumps can become congested and need a tidy up.
Best grown in full sun in a well drained soil.
Water in well when planting and through the first summer. D. grandiflora is reasonably drought tolerant once established.
- Position – Full sun
- Soil – Humus rich well drained
- Flowering period – Summer to autumn however will spot flower through the year.
How to Divide Dietes
The best way to do this is to dig up the whole clump and divide them.
- Watering them well first to make digging easier.
- Remove almost all of the old foliage,.
- Replant the rhizomes in soil that have been renewed with some compost and manure.
- Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
Dietes Varieties
Dietes plants and species are a small iris like flowering plants, species include :
- D. grandiflora (Wild iris, Fairy Iris)
- D. bicolor (Peacock Flower or Butterfly Iris) and
- D.iridioides (African iris, Cape iris) including the variegated form .
All are used widely as a low growing ground cover plant. D. Grandiflora will flower from spring through to summer and is a very hardy plant that will reach 1m in height. Originally from South Africa they are widely used in roadside plantings.
D. grandiflora is sometimes referred to as the ‘Wild Iris’, D. iridioides is known as the ‘fortnight lily’.
Most species are native to South Africa however D. robinsoniana or ‘Wedding Lily’ is a native of Lord Howe island.
Dietes are available from the following Wholesale Nurseries
55 McDougal Rd Neerim South Victoria 3831 PH: (03) 56281507
Advanced ornamental trees and garden designs and concept plans. Direct to your property combined with specialist knowledge and outstanding service.
www.blericktreefarm.com.au
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au