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Blackberry Lily

Herbaceous Perennial Flower

Also known as Leopard Flower
Belamcanda chinensis
Iridaceae Family
Synonym: Pardanthus chinensis

Exotic, lily-like orange flowers spotted with red adorn these striking 3- to 4-foot-tall plants. Fleshy black seeds provide fall and winter interest, and are used in arrangements.

	Site and Plant Characteristics
	Growing Information
	Varieties

Site Characteristics

Sunlight:

full sun
part shade

Soil conditions:

requires well-drained soil

Hardiness zones:

5 to 10

Plant Traits

Lifecycle: perennial

Ease-of-care: easy

Height: 2 to 4 feet

Spread: 0.5 to 1.5 feet

Bloom time:

mid-summer
late summer

Flower color:

red
orange
yellow

Reddish orange, spotted with darker red. 'Hello Yellow' has yellow flowers.

Foliage color:

medium green
dark green

Foliage texture: medium

Shape: fan-shaped

The plants resemble Iris or Gladiolus.

Shape in flower: flower stalks with upright spikes

The flowers are borne along erect stems rising above the foliage.

Special Considerations

Special characteristics:

non-aggressive
non-invasive
not native to North America - Asia
bears ornamental fruit - The plants bear oval seed pods which open in the fall to reveal a row of berry-like, shiny black seeds.

Growing Information

How to plant:

Propagate by seed, division or separation - Divide in the early spring.
Sow seeds in autumn or spring. Pre-chilling the seeds may aid germination. Self-seeds readily, but unwanted seedlings are easy to remove.

Days to emergence: 21

Maintenance and care:

Remove dead or rotting leaves and divide regularly to prevent Iris borer problems. When dividing, replant only healthy, uninfected roots.
Plants may require staking, especially in rich soil.
Winter protection may be required in Zone 5 and colder. Avoid fall planting because frost may heave roots.
More growing information: How to Grow Perennials

Pests:

Iris borer

Varieties

'Freckle Face' is pest and disease resistant, and doesn't require staking.
'Hello Yellow' is shorter (12 to 15 inches) has yellow flowers and doesn't require staking.