Dietes butcheriana

Dietes butcheriana, commonly known as the forest wild iris, is an evergreen perennial native to the shady forests of eastern South Africa. A member of the Iris family (Iridaceae), this plant is prized for its attractive, fan-shaped foliage and striking but short-lived white flowers

• Foliage: It forms dense clumps of broad, dark green, sword-shaped leaves arranged in a fan-like manner. This fan-shaped growth habit makes it an excellent, low-maintenance ground cover.
• Flowers: The plant produces large, white, flat, and spreading flowers with yellow and orange markings near the center. The flowers are borne on branched stems that are shorter than the leaves.
• Flowering schedule: It blooms in spring and early summer (typically September to December in its native habitat), but the individual flowers are very short-lived, opening in the afternoon and fading by early evening.
• Fruit: After flowering, it forms large, roundish, shiny capsules that hang from the stem for months.
• Dietes butcheriana

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Dietes butcheriana

  , commonly known as the forest wild iris, is an evergreen perennial native to the shady forests of eastern South Africa. A member of the Iris family (Iridaceae), this plant is prized for its attractive, fan-shaped foliage and striking but short-lived white flowers. 

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  Appearance

  • Foliage: It forms dense clumps of broad, dark green, sword-shaped leaves arranged in a fan-like manner. This fan-shaped growth habit makes it an excellent, low-maintenance ground cover.
  • Flowers: The plant produces large, white, flat, and spreading flowers with yellow and orange markings near the center. The flowers are borne on branched stems that are shorter than the leaves.
  • Flowering schedule: It blooms in spring and early summer (typically September to December in its native habitat), but the individual flowers are very short-lived, opening in the afternoon and fading by early evening.
  • Fruit: After flowering, it forms large, roundish, shiny capsules that hang from the stem for months. 

  
  

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  Cultivation and care

  • Climate and hardiness: This plant is hardy to USDA Zone 8 and prefers cooler, moist conditions.
  • Light: Dietes butcheriana thrives in partial to deep shade, as it is naturally found on forest floors. While tolerant of tough conditions, too much sun can reduce its flower production.
  • Soil: It grows best in fertile, well-drained loam but can tolerate poor, dry soils once established.
  • Water: Keep the soil moist for the best growth, especially during dry spells in summer. Established plants are somewhat drought-tolerant, particularly if they are in the shade.
  • Propagation: The plant can be propagated by dividing its rhizomes in late autumn or early spring. It can also be grown from seed, but germination is erratic and can take up to four years.

  price is for 5 seeds