Dietes bicolor

Dietes bicolor, commonly known as the African iris, fortnight lily, or yellow wild iris, is a clump-forming rhizomatous perennial with iris-like yellow flowers. Native to South Africa, it is a low-maintenance plant often used in public gardens, roadsides, and private landscapes in mild temperate zones. The flowers are short-lived, but new ones are produced in bursts over several months, with the name "fortnight lily" referring to the frequent flushes of blooms.

• Foliage: This evergreen perennial grows in fan-shaped clumps of pale green, leathery, and sword-like leaves that can reach up to 90 cm tall.
• Flowers: The showy flowers are pale yellow with three dark brown or purplish spots surrounded by an orange outline at their base. They appear on wiry, branched stems and are about 5 cm in diameter.
• Blooms: Flowers bloom mainly in spring and summer, but in warmer climates, they can appear intermittently throughout the year. The individual flowers last only a day but are quickly replaced by new ones.
• Fruit: After flowering, a capsule forms and splits open when dry to disperse the dark brown seeds.
• Cultivation and care
  • Sun and soil: Dietes bicolor thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, though this may reduce flowering. It is adaptable to a wide range of well-drained soils, including clay, loam, and sandy types.
  • Watering: While it can tolerate drought once established, it prefers moist conditions and performs best with moderate watering. Inconsistent watering can slow flower production during hot, dry weather.
  • Hardiness: It is considered half-hardy and can withstand temperatures down to around 0°C. In colder climates, it is often grown in containers and stored in a frost-free location over winter.
  • Maintenance: This plant requires minimal maintenance. Deadheading spent flowers helps control self-seeding and encourages re-blooming.
  • Dietes bicolor is excellent for adding a tropical or exotic feel to gardens.
  • Accent plant: It works well as an accent plant or as an attractive, low-maintenance groundcover.
  • Borders and edges: The tall, sword-shaped foliage makes it a good choice for borders, along walkways, and around pools.
  • Erosion control: Its robust nature and rhizomatous growth make it useful for controlling erosion on banks.
  • Container gardens: It also grows well in containers, where it can provide a dramatic accent.

Price is for 5 seeds