Photo of Iris domestica by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens III

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Buy 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

3.5" | $12.95

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Fewer than 9 at Noname Nursery

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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

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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)
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.
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.
Iris family. Bright yellow to red six petaled flowers.

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
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