Dietes iridioides – Fortnight Lily

Description

Dietes iridioides – White African Iris / Fortnight Lily

Family: Iridaceae
Packet: 10 seeds

Description

Dietes iridioides is a South African evergreen, often called Fortnight Lily or Wild Iris. It forms arching fans of sword-like foliage and produces white iris-like flowers with yellow and violet markings.

Key Features

• Flower Colour: White with Yellow and Violet Markings
• Plant habit: Evergreen clumping perennial
• Garden interest and important notes: A reliable-looking structural plant for borders, paths and large pots. The blooms are brief but can recur during the growing season on established clumps.

Growing Conditions

• Position: Full sun to part shade.
• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil.
• Water: Moderate watering during establishment; avoid prolonged waterlogging.
• Climate: Mild temperate to subtropical gardens; protect small seedlings from severe frost.

Seed Propagation

1. Prepare: Sow mature dry seed; no harsh heat treatment is generally necessary.
2. Sow: Cover seed lightly to about 3–5 mm in seed-raising mix.
3. Germination conditions: Keep the mix consistently moist but not sodden in a bright, warm position.
4. After germination: Pot seedlings on after their roots and several leaves have developed.

Germination depends on seed freshness, temperature and growing conditions.

Germination advice: These instructions are a recommended guide. Germination results and timing may vary depending on seed freshness, storage, temperature and growing conditions. Alternative propagation methods may also be successful.