If you do not plan to keep seeds from your fortnight lily plant, cutting off the seed pods when they first form will keep the plant from seeding and will result in more flowers. Remove seed pods to promote additional bloom. Requires little maintenance to maintain a neat appearance. Radiating from the bloom's center are 3 pale violet style arms. Growers may want to plant it around the perimeter of their garden to provide a natural border. Water in well when planting and through the first summer. Dietes will tolerate wind and frost (Pienaar 2004). 1). 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. How to Grow and Care for Fortnight Lilies, Pests and Diseases that Affect Fortnight Lilies, Rose Food Guide: How to Use The Best Fertilizer for Roses, Euphorbia Lactea (Dragon Bones Tree): Types, How to Grow and Care, Osmanthus Flower Types, How to Grow and Care, Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum Plant): Types, How to Grow and Care. If the problem is not resolved in time, the infection can spread and cause stunted growth in new leaves. Divide oversized or crowded clumps of plants in the late winter, before spring growth begins. Dietes iridioides-Butterfly iris care. To get rid of scale insects, wiping them off with cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol should do the trick. Although the flowers thrive in full sun, you will still get decent blooms if the plant is shaded for part of the day. Although tolerant of tough conditions, dietes will perform best in well-drained soil, rich in organic material. Common sense and a nurturing attitude can go a long way. Garden beds that can be moved around are a neat way to change up your landscaping each year—or if you just change your mind. Particularly once established, the fortnight lily can tolerate nearly any living situation. To remove them: cut them down to about 3" from the ground. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. Rebekah is a writer in upstate New York, just north of the Adirondack Mountains. Sub-Tropical, Mediterranean, Greenhouse, Flower Arranging, Containers, Beds and borders. Growing fortnight lilies is a relatively easy project you don’t necessarily have to have a green thumb. dietes iridioides (Dietes vegeta, Moraea iridioides) Clip off any leaves that die. 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. Water twice a month during dry spells. Fortnight lilies are evergreen perennials in USDA hardiness zones eight through eleven. If you want to learn more, see the cookie policy. If you live in an area that is prone to fire outbreaks, the fortnight lily may be a good option for your landscaping. Dietes vegeta African Iris, Butterfly Iris 1. The fortnight lily is also drought-resistant if your water source ends up drying out more than usual. Flower stems should not be removed after flowering. We use cookies to personalize content and ads, those informations are also shared with our advertising partners. Poor soil and limited amounts of water won’t phase it, although ideal conditions will yield the highest number of flowers. After some time, the leaves of the plant will start to yellow and may start to fall off. It is a good idea to watch children and pets that are around your fortnight lilies to ensure they don’t eat the plants. From East Africa, Morea Iris or African Iris is a tropical shrub that is simple to maintain and fits into nearly any garden! Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. Propagate by seed or by division of established clumps. Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. Dietes iridioides. 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 … Because of the fact that Dietes Iris is a durable plant, and due to its eye catching appearance, gardeners will want to make the most out of where they display it. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education degree. 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. For most climates, a solid watering once per week should be enough to keep the plant happy and healthy. D. grandiflora has dark, brownish markings on the inner tepals but D. iridioides does not. Clumps will … When planting in containers, it is a good idea to choose a size that can be transported if you are planning on bringing them inside during the winter. PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT . Its strap-like leaves grow from rhizomes that creep slowly along the ground to make thick clumps. If the flowers or foliage of your fortnight lily are singed, the plant can be cut back and should regrow itself the following season. It is an easy, well-adapted plant for growing in Southern California. Dietes iridioides flowers throughout the warmer month of the year. 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. Growers should never remove the plant’s flowers from its stem, since the Dietes Plant continues to flower for years on end on the one stem and above all removing the whole stem from the base of the plant would cause the plant damage and mean it will take a lot longer for the plant to flower as it has to produce a new stem before it reflowers. Water the fertilizer into the soil immediately after applying. 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. 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. Assuming you want gazania flowers growing in your garden or landscaping, the bright colors are sure to bring a welcomed pop of color. It has dark green foliage and produces white, yellow and pink tall-stemmed flowers. Katrina has improved tolerance to heavy, poorly drained soils and resistance to root and crown diseases. Although it may not look pretty after cutting it, beautiful new leaves and flowers are sure to follow. The flowering habit is interesting, Dietes produce a flowering stem, seperate to the foliage. If your soil does not drain well and your fortnight lilies are not thriving, tilling up your garden or landscaping patches before planting may help. The name fortnight lily is based on the blooming cycle of the flowers, where new blooms come up approximately every two weeks. The hardy fortnight lily (Dietes iridioide) is a perennial flower that originates from Africa. Great in pots as well as gardens, the African Iris is also used around water and as a feature softening rock landscaping. See active ingredients, product application, restrictions, and more. This warm and eye-catching Mediterranean border is a real... Use our interactive toolsto design your dream garden. Scale insects attach themselves to the foliage of the plant and suck out the nutrients. Do not remove flower stems as they continue to flower for several years. 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. Grassy plant, ideal for landscaping, weed suppressing and erosion control. “All Dietes are extraordinarily drought-resistant” (Macoboy 1986). It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It will also grow well in coastal gardens in a … Garden beds create an ideal growing environment for fortnight lilies. Suggested uses. Root-knot nematodes are similar to the foliar nematodes but attack the root system of the plant. Care Thrives in fertile, well-drained soils, but highly adaptable. WPS Uses: Applicators and other handlers who handle this product for any use covered by the Worker Protection Standard (40 CFR Part 170) – in general, agricultural plant uses are covered - must wear: Coveralls over short-sleeved shirt and short pants Chemical-resistant gloves ≥14 mils such as barrier laminate or butyl rubber Chemical-resistant … Fertilise in spring with a balanced general fertiliser. The fortnight lily is considered a fire-resistant flower. However, when caring for your fortnight lilies, there are a few pests and diseases to keep an eye out for just to make sure your plants are staying in tip-top shape. Many plants sold as Dietes iridioides are actually Dietes grandiflora. A$6.00. It has long dark green sword like leaves. Best flowering occurs in full sun, but plants may appreciate some part light afternoon shade. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources. Accept One of the most versatile plants around and a great plant for beginning gardeners. Not sure which Dietes to pick?Compare All Dietes, Great Plant Combination Ideas with Dietes. Although not highly toxic, certain parts of the fortnight lily are poisonous to people and most animals. Note this is the default cart. While African Irises are not particularly susceptible to various plant diseases, sterilizing pruning shears in a 1-10 bleach/water solution after pruning ensures that diseases will not be transferred from plant to plant. Easy to grow, Fortnight Lily performs best in full sun or part shade, in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Thank you for your support! The foliage is reminiscent of an iris - long, stiff leaves that grow in fans about 3ft tall. Foliar nematodes are a pest that causes damage to the leaves of fortnight lilies. Sunlight helps promote flower growth and strong blooms, so the more the better. Foliage or plants that are removed should be destroyed to ensure the fungal disease does not come back. The fortnight lily is also referred to as the African iris and the morea iris. There is little not to love when it comes to these flowers although those of us in the cooler growing zones may wish they were cold-hardy. Care: Grow in full sun or part shade. The African iris (Dietes iridioides) is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8b through 11, where it can be planted and grown year-round and is known for its striking characteristics. When growing fortnight lilies, it is best to keep the soil moist as a general rule. The patent description says that it is a hybrid of Dietes bicolor and D. iridioides. Ingesting parts of the fortnight lily plant can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and other unpleasant symptoms, but it is rarely life-threatening unless a copious amount is consumed. One of the most versatile plants around and a great plant for beginning gardeners. Dietes grandiflora: The large wild iris bears spectacular large white flowers marked with yellow and violet in spring and summer. wide (7 cm), consists of 3 outer and 3 inner segments, the latter being adorned with yellow-orange blotches and a few orange marks at their base. Native to eastern and southern Africa, Dietes iridioides (Fortnight Lily) is a rhizomatous evergreen perennial with attractive flowers resembling small Japanese Irises. Dietes iridioides (African iris) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years. Fertilise occasionally and water during dry spells. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of a 5-10-10 or 5-10-5 fertilizer and sprinkle it on top of the soil at the base of the plants but not touching the rhizomes to avoid burning the roots. Fortnight lily (Dietes iridioides) is an evergreen, long-lived member of the lily family native to East Africa. The flowers last one day, but are quickly replaced by new ones as each stalk carries an endless supply of buds. Due to the high water tolerance of the fortnight lily, you won’t have to worry about some light flooding damaging your flowers. Edward F. Gilman 2. Fortnight lilies also make good container flowers, and they’re commonly grown in containers in cooler climates where these flowers cannot grow as perennials. Hardy, ideal around waterways or soaks. Detailed Care Instructions; Features. These adaptable flowers will learn to grow in drought-like environments as well as water-saturated environments, although neither is ideal. Its strap-like leaves grow from rhizomes that creep slowly along the ground to make thick clumps. The flower spikes are topped with 3-inch white flowers marked with yellow and blue. The ideal location for fortnight lilies is somewhere with full-sun exposure. Fortnight lilies look best when grown in large clusters, creating a sea of flowers in your landscaping. Larger plant than the similar-looking iridiodes, with longer-lasting larger flowers. Some choose to grow these flowers in their garden beds or in containers to ensure they are getting the ideal soil mixture. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you). Posted by OldGardener (So Cal - Zone 10b) on Jul 16, 2014 9:27 AM. Dietes iridioides (L) and Dietes grandiflora (R) Dietes x 'Nola Alba' Dietes x 'Nola Alba' Katrina African iris This plant was patented as Dietes x 'Nola Alba' and is being marketed as Katrina African iris. Clump-forming perennial with dark green, strappy foliage and white iris-like flowers on tall stems with yellow and mauve markings in the inside of the flower. Introduction. African Iris reaches optimum growth when protected from afternoon sun and planted in garden soil with good drainage. Dietes iridioides SKU: A$6.00. Although fortnight lilies have been known to grow in low-quality soil, their ideal soil type is well-drained with moderate levels of natural fertilizer. In addition to writing, she also co-manages a farm, where she grows a variety of plants and raises chickens, pigs, and sheep. Charming white iris-like flowers with lilac centres, on tall 120cm stems. The hardy fortnight lily (Dietes iridioide) is a perennial flower that originates from Africa. They appear on branched stalks over an incredibly long season, extending from spring to fall and sometimes well into winter in mild climates. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. The same goes for the foliage, any dead or yellowing foliage can be cut off at the base to reserve energy for new growth. If you do want to keep your fortnight lilies in the best possible condition, not much effort is needed well worth the reward of more flowers! This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. Care: Grow in full sun or part shade. Do not remove flower stems as they continue to flower for several years. Their slowly increasing clumps of narrow, sword-like foliage usually remain green through the winter unless burnt by temperatures below 25F. Cut sharply and cleanly straight across the leaf blade, near the crown of the plant. Deleting this collection CANNOT be undone. Start with Routine Maintenance. Once established, these plants require little care. Cut the spent blooms off … This clumping, robust perennial has stiff leaves radiating up and out in a fan-shaped pattern (Fig. Although tolerant of tough conditions, Dietes will perform best in well-drained soil, rich in organic material. Cut sharply and cleanly straight across the leaf blade, near the crown of the plant. Dietes are able to endure only very light frosts…and will tolerate sun or deep shade, poor soils and dry conditions.