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    • Photo of Iris domestica by Karl Gercens III

    Photo by Karl Gercens III

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Iris domestica

    Also Known As

    • Belamcanda chinensis
    • Blackberry Lily
    • Chinese Ixea
    • Leopard Flower
    • Leopard Lily

    Plant type

    perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

    size

    • H: 12"-36"
    • W: 6"-18"

    planting zones

    • 5a-10b

    More Options

    Iris domestica plant details

    Iris domestica is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial bulb / corm / tuber with blue and green foliage. In spring and summer orange, red and yellow flowers emerge followed by black fruit. Features glaucous and grassy texture. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional water. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Iris domestica

    Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
    Plant family: iridaceae
    Foliage: semi-evergreen blue and green
    Mature size: 6 IN - 18 IN - wide, 12 IN - 36 IN - tall
    Flowers: orange, red and yellow blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: border plant, clumping, cottage garden, cutting garden, edging plant, fragrant, rock garden, self-sowing

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Iris domestica

    USDA Zones: 5a - 10b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: occasional
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, gritty and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Neither blackberry nor lily, the common name of this Iris-relative refers to its pods full of black seeds which are splendid in dried arrangements; zigzagging stems display star-like orange summer flowers. S/M (not dry)

    By: Forestfarm

    In the 1800s this flower was called Chinese Ixea and was offered in a seed list of 1810. Lily-like flowers 2 inches across are a beautiful orange spotted with carmine-rose in the throat. The shiny black seed clusters look just like ripe blackberries and dry well for winter bouquets. Grow in masses in fertile, well-drained soil. Summer bloom.

    By: Select Seeds

    Called the blackberry lily or the leopard lily, this perennial is quite exciting. It is clump-forming, and easily divided by it's rhizomes. In summer it bears a succession of many showy 2" flowers of orange with red spots. Flowers are then followed by ornamental black seeds that are first enclosed in beige capsules. The foliage is sword-shaped and tall, making the plant look somewhat iris-like. Anywhere from 18-36" tall and 8" wide.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    What begins like a clump of iris foliage has star shaped red freckled orange flowers that transform into clusters of shiny black seeds. Fascinating.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Iris family. Bright yellow to red six petaled flowers.

    By: Thompson's Nursery

    Gardening facts about Iris domestica plant

    How to Grow Iris domestica

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • occasional

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green
      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • red
      • orange
      • yellow

    • Wildlife

      • hummingbirds
      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Fruit

      • black

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • semi-evergreen

    • Texture

      • glaucous
      • grassy

    See other plant types of Iris for your garden

    Iris douglasiana

    aka Douglas Iris, Douglas' Iris

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    7a-9b

    Size

    Height: 20"-32"

    Width: 18"

    • sun - bright shade
    • even moisture - regular
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Iris douglasiana flower by Far Reaches Farm
    View Plant

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    Iris fernaldii

    aka Fernald's Iris

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 12"

    Width: 24"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular
    Photo of Iris fernaldii flower by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Iris innominata

    Plant Type

    Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    8a-10b

    Size

    Height: 8"-10"

    Width: 10"

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Iris innominata flower by Cistus Nursery
    View Plant

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    Iris munzii

    aka Munz's Iris, Tulare Lavender Iris

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

    Zones

    9b-10b

    Size

    Height: 1'-2'

    Width: 1'-2'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Iris munzii flower by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Iris wattii

    aka Bamboo Iris

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 2'-5'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular
    Photo of Iris wattii flower by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    More Options

    +457 more Iris
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