In the correct growing zones, fortnight lilies will bloom from spring to late fall, sometimes even into the winter months in warmer climates. Thank you for your support! Dietes grandiflora - wild iris. The fortnight lily can also be grown in a container that can be brought inside or added to a greenhouse when temperatures start to drop. The fortnight lily goes by many names, including African iris, butterfly iris, Wood iris, and scientifically Dietes iridioides. The delicate look of the fortnight lily can add small sections of color to your landscaping, but when planted in large clusters can create an explosion of color that looks great anywhere. To remove them: cut them down to about 3" from the ground. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. It has long dark green sword like leaves. While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. If there is too large of an infestation, you can create a spray made of water, alcohol, and certain insecticidal soaps and lightly spray the plant daily until the insects are gone. Fortnight lilies look best when grown in large clusters, creating a sea of flowers in your landscaping. Scale insects are a pest that can harm your fortnight lilies if you have a large infestation that is not under control. This African native can tolerate virtually any soil conditions from drought to moist soil found at the water’s edge. Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season. We use cookies on this website, you can read about them here. Propagate by seed or by division of established clumps. Do not remove flower stems as they continue to flower for several years. warmer months. Seed pods are formed after flowering on the stems where the flowers were. Cut sharply and cleanly straight across the leaf blade, near the crown of the plant. A popular location for planting fortnight lilies is around water sources such as ponds, lakes, and pools. Although rust may not cause much harm to your fortnight lilies, it is a good idea to get rid of this fungal disease before it gets out of hand, as it can spread to the remainder of the infected plant along with other nearby plants. Although it may not look pretty after cutting it, beautiful new leaves and flowers are sure to follow. When your flowering plants are healthy, you are sure to get plenty of beautiful flowers. Removing the above-ground portion of the plant will give it a chance to reset itself—in a way—and start over fresh. Care: Grow in full sun or part shade. Posted by OldGardener (So Cal - Zone 10b) on Jul 16, 2014 9:27 AM. Whichever color variety you choose, the flowers that form will be beautiful. On an as-needed basis, cut brown or yellow leaves back to the base of the greenery with pruning shears. Don't use fresh manure, as it can cause rhizome rot. Foliar nematodes are a pest that causes damage to the leaves of fortnight lilies. Although the flowers thrive in full sun, you will still get decent blooms if the plant is shaded for part of the day. Tip. Rebekah is a writer in upstate New York, just north of the Adirondack Mountains. Start with Routine Maintenance. Remove seed pods to promote additional bloom. If you are getting little to no rain, it may be a good idea to add a second weekly watering into the mix to ensure your plant has the energy needed to bloom its beautiful flowers. Although not highly toxic, certain parts of the fortnight lily are poisonous to people and most animals. Fertilise occasionally and water during dry spells. Growers may want to plant it around the perimeter of their garden to provide a natural border. Every few years, it is a good idea to cut your entire fortnight lily plant down to ground level. We participate in some affiliate advertising programs including Amazon Associates Program. Dietes iridioides is a profuse bloomer so anyone can enjoy the exotic iris-like flowers with yellow and purple-blue markings that dot the landscape from spring through late fall! Planting in garden beds also allows you to add in the best possible potting soil that will provide the nutrients that the fortnight lilies thrive on. Root-knot nematodes are similar to the foliar nematodes but attack the root system of the plant. cookie policy.By closing this alert, scrolling this page, clicking on a link or continuing navigation in any other way, you consent to the use of cookies. Hardy, ideal around waterways or soaks. Charming white iris-like flowers with lilac centres, on tall 120cm stems. From East Africa, Morea Iris or African Iris is a tropical shrub that is simple to maintain and fits into nearly any garden! Flower stems should not be removed after flowering. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. Their slowly increasing clumps of narrow, sword-like foliage usually remain green through the winter unless burnt by temperatures below 25F. Dietes iridioides (Fortnight Lily) Native to eastern and southern Africa, Dietes iridioides (Fortnight Lily) is a rhizomatous evergreen perennial with attractive flowers resembling small Japanese Irises. Do not remove flower stems as they continue to flower for several years. Scale insects attach themselves to the foliage of the plant and suck out the nutrients. A yearly fertilizer should keep the plant healthy and the flowers blooming. For some, handling fortnight lilies can cause skin irritation, especially if the plant is cut open. After root-knot nematodes have caused damage, the best course of action is usually to remove the plant altogether so that other plants nearby do not become infected as well. Cut the spent blooms off … The foliage is reminiscent of an iris - long, stiff leaves that grow in fans about 3ft tall. Garden beds can be set up in a way to create the proper drainage needed to achieve the highest number of blooms on fortnight lilies. With new blooms every two weeks, your fortnight lily will be bursting with color all season, which for the fortnight lily is unusually long. Check these Great Plant Combination Ideas with Dietes, A Desirable Summer Border Idea with Grasses, Dahlias and Amaranth, A Spectacular Summer Planting Idea with Dahlia, Zinnia, Chinese Aster and Ammi visnaga, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2. This African native can tolerate virtually any soil conditions from drought to moist soil found at the water’s edge. PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT . Suggested uses. To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of our site. Sub-Tropical, Mediterranean, Greenhouse, Flower Arranging, Containers, Beds and borders. Care: Grow in full sun or part shade. It grows in both sun or partial shade, and is also tolerant of both moderate frost and drought. Fortnight lilies also make good container flowers, and they’re commonly grown in containers in cooler climates where these flowers cannot grow as perennials. Unavailable per item 0.5m x 0.5m Fl. Thrives with regular moisture but will perform satisfactorily in poor soil … The name dietes refers to the close association the plant has with two of its relatives. The most effective way to help your plant after a nematode causes damage is to remove any of the damaged parts of the plant so the infection will not spread. Dietes is a genus of rhizomatous plants of the family Iridaceae, first described as a genus in 1866.Common names include wood iris, fortnight lily, African iris, Japanese iris and butterfly iris, each of which may be used differently in different regions for one or more of the six species within the genus.. The fortnight lilies have a tropical look to them that makes a water-side location a perfect area to admire them. From spring through till autumn it produces white iris like flowers with yellow and mauve markings. Their slowly increasing clumps of narrow, sword-like foliage usually remain green through the winter unless burnt by temperatures below 25F. Nov 8, 2014 - Contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang is renowned for his innovative, politically charged pieces, ranging from installations and performances to works on paper, which incorporate gunpowder and explosions. Fortnight lilies are evergreen perennials in USDA hardiness zones eight through eleven. Dietes iridioides flowers throughout the warmer month of the year. Best flower production occurs in full sun, but light afternoon shade is welcomed. If you live in an area that is prone to fire outbreaks, the fortnight lily may be a good option for your landscaping. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources. If you are building garden beds specifically for your fortnight lilies, areas that receive full sun exposure are ideal. A spectacular plant in mass plantings, as groundcover or in containers. Propagate by seed or division of the rhizome. “All Dietes are extraordinarily drought-resistant” (Macoboy 1986). Care Thrives in fertile, well-drained soils, but highly adaptable. They rise above fan-shaped clumps of narrow, sword-shaped, stiff, evergreen leaves. Fertilise in spring with a balanced general fertiliser. Her writing interests cover everything from farming and gardening to education, health and wellness, and business. Flowering occurs in bloom bursts that seem to occur at 2 week intervals, hence the common name of Fortnight Lily. Easy to grow, Fortnight Lily performs best in full sun or part shade, in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Grassy plant, ideal for landscaping, weed suppressing and erosion control. It’s a species of plant in the Iridaceae family (and the genus Dietes) and is native to Southern Africa. Although most of the dead flowers will fall off on their own, pruning off the spent flowers will reserve energy for new blooms and will make your plant look nicer overall. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. Once established, these plants require little care. Although tolerant of tough conditions, Dietes will perform best in well-drained soil, rich in organic material. These pests form galls on the root system that can alter the growth of the plant. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. They appear on branched stalks over an incredibly long season, extending from spring to fall and sometimes well into winter in mild climates. Many plants sold as Dietes iridioides are actually Dietes grandiflora. However after 5 – 6 years, the clumps can become congested and need a tidy up. Foliage or plants that are removed should be destroyed to ensure the fungal disease does not come back. The same goes for the foliage, any dead or yellowing foliage can be cut off at the base to reserve energy for new growth. Katrina has improved tolerance to heavy, poorly drained soils and resistance to root and crown diseases. It is an easy, well-adapted plant for growing in Southern California. Butterfly, or African iris are composed of several species of the genus Dietes, and have been used extensively in zones 8b and upwards for landscaping and water garden accents in recent years. It is a good idea to watch children and pets that are around your fortnight lilies to ensure they don’t eat the plants. This warm and eye-catching Mediterranean border is a real... Use our interactive toolsto design your dream garden. Assuming you want gazania flowers growing in your garden or landscaping, the bright colors are sure to bring a welcomed pop of color. Radiating from the bloom's center are 3 pale violet style arms. The hardy fortnight lily (Dietes iridioide) is a perennial flower that originates from Africa. Although tolerant of tough conditions, Dietes will perform best in well-drained soil, rich in organic material. The same goes for the foliage, any dead or yellowing foliage can be cut off at the base to reserve energy for new growth. Although tolerant of tough conditions, dietes will perform best in well-drained soil, rich in organic material. The patent description says that it is a hybrid of Dietes bicolor and D. iridioides. For the most part, fortnight lilies are fairly resistant to most pests and diseases and can generally fight away any that do come along. The ideal location for fortnight lilies is somewhere with full-sun exposure. These flowers originate from Africa, making them highly heat-resistant—too much sun isn’t something to worry about here. Best flowering occurs in full sun, but plants may appreciate some part light afternoon shade. Jacksonville, FL 32217 904-733-7549 These flowers are so easy to grow and care for that they even grow as weeds in certain climates—they can even become invasive if not properly cared for. Clumps will … Dietes are able to endure only very light frosts…and will tolerate sun or deep shade, poor soils and dry conditions. dietes iridioides (Dietes vegeta, Moraea iridioides) As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you). Full Sun to Partial Shade. Requires little maintenance to maintain a neat appearance. The name fortnight lily is based on the blooming cycle of the flowers, where new blooms come up approximately every two weeks. For the most part, better soil will directly correlate with more blooms on your fortnight lilies. Sub-Tropical, Mediterranean, Greenhouse, Flower Arranging, Containers, Beds and borders. One of the most versatile plants around and a great plant for beginning gardeners. Fertilizer is not always necessary for the fortnight lily plants, but certain fertilizers can help your plant grow new flowers, particularly if your soil nutrient levels are low. Plants grown in water may reach 5 feet (1.5 m.) in height, while those growing in soil normally grow to just 2 to 3 feet (1 … When growing fortnight lilies, it is best to keep the soil moist as a general rule. Although not fire-proof, the fortnight lily can withstand the environment that comes along with fire such as high temperatures and smoke. Lilies are a neat way to change up your landscaping supplement to the foliage goes by many names including... Of 0.6m and a nurturing attitude can go a long way the inner tepals but D. does., see the cookie policy through till autumn it produces white, yellow and blue no extra cost to )... 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