Grass - alike foliage and white flowers almost all season long make this sturdy plant life a great ground cover for warm climates .
With its stalwart , green goddess - alike , evergreen leafage , African fleur-de-lis is an excellent flowering ground cover or accent plant for warm mood ( if you live further north , you may still grow it as an one-year , or winter it indoors ) . Count on delicacy , bright blanched flower from spring through fall with only two - hebdomad respite catamenia in - between , which also realize the plant the name fortnight blossom . Call on smartly grow African sword lily to add color and texture to tough landscaping areas . This plant from South Africa stands up to oestrus , drought , and miss .
Where to Plant African Iris
For the best bloom , plant African fleur-de-lis in a localisation where it get at least six 60 minutes offull Lord’s Day . The flora does not have any specific territory requisite other than good drain and a pH that is more or less acidic .
you’re able to use mass plantings of African iris to make entryways expect inviting or disguise spots that have slight appeal , such as along a institution . African iris is also a true improver to any rock or timber garden .
How and When to Plant African Iris
Plant African sword lily after all danger of spring frost has pass . Dig a furrow about two inches deep and 6 column inch wide . commit the rhizomes with the source down and fan out in all directions . Cover the rootstock with 1 inch of grease . Space them at least 1 foot apart . pee well after engraft and keep them evenly moist until they are established and have grown a strong amount of leaf .
African Iris Care Tips
Light
African iris blooms well when it get full Sunday for six hours or more . Partial shade during the raging afternoon minute is only satisfactory in red-hot mood with westerly exposure .
Soil and Water
Loamy dirt is idealistic for African iris , but it grows it unlike type of soil as long as there is proficient drainage , and the pH is between 6.0 and 8.0 .
lacrimation is ordinarily only take during the first farm season until the plant life is established .
Temperature and Humidity
African flag is not wintertime - hardy below geographical zone 8 so you ’ll need to grow it as an annual or overwinter it at bottom as a potted plant . The climate in its native home ground being hot yet dry , the plant does not do well in high humidity .
Fertilizer
Despite its long bloom , African iris diaphragm is not a intemperate birdfeeder . A light software of a balanced complete granular fertiliser once in the bounce and again in midsummer is usually enough . For the amount to use , espouse product label guidance .
Pruning
To encourage a continuous efflorescence , take out the seminal fluid pods as they start to form but leave the bloom stanch on the plant . For a neater coming into court , you could also move out any all in leaves but that ’s optional .
Potting and Repotting African Iris
To raise African iris in a pot , apply one that is 1.5 times larger than the glasshouse pot and wide of the mark than marvellous , as the plant spreads by rhizomes . Also , make certain it has magnanimous drain hole . Fill it with well - draining potting mix and compost . Keep in mind that container works require more frequent watering and fertilisation than plants in the landscape .
Repot the industrial plant in a large container with fresh potting mixture when the roots have filled the wad . you may also fraction the plant and repot it in several containers .
Pests and Problems
coarse pests of African sword lily admit nematodes , aphids , and iris borers . The works can also be affected by scales that cake the foliage .
Soil that is too wet or too alkaline for the plant manifests itself as yellow discolouration of the leaves .
How to Propagate African Iris
African iris is bestpropagated by air division . Dividing the clumps not only makes young plants but it also addresses the issue of crowding and inadequate air circulation in older bunch . In a warm climate , this can be done in the leap or in the descent . Dig up the entire lump with a shovel . rock off excess dirt and utilise a sharp spade to slice the rhizomes aside . Discard any flawed and pathologic rhizome . engraft the sound single in the landscape at the same depth as the original plant .
Types of African Iris
Dietes bicolor
This African iris species has fewer and larger leave thanDietes iridoides . The flowers are light yellow with dark chocolate-brown or violet blotches . Zone 8 - 11
Dietes ‘Lemon Drops’
This is a slow- to moderately - growing hybrid ofDietes iridoidesandDietes bicolorwith yellow blotch on creamy bloom . Zone 8 - 11
Dietes bicolor ‘Variegata’
This cultivar has variegated green foliage with pick - color stripes . The efflorescence are sensationalistic with maroon blotches . Zone 8 - 11
Frequently Asked Questions
There are two method for overwintering the plant . you may overwinter the rootstock by grok them up before the first surrender frost . allow them dry out for about a week in a cool , wry place , then pile them in a cardboard box with peat moss and keep them in a nerveless , obscure place for the wintertime . Or you could bring potted plants inside in the fall . Place them in a windowpane with bright twinkle but barely water them . instead , you could also place the quite a little in a cool , dark place like a basement where they will go fully dormant . Either way , once spring arrive and there is no more danger of frost , plant the winter rhizomes or move the pots alfresco .
The plant has the tendency to self - seed but it is not considered encroaching . you could control the reseeding by abridge off the spent flowers before they set seminal fluid .
Updated by Nadia Hassani
