Family IRIDACEAE
Genus Dietes
Species bicolor
SA Plant Number
Basionym Dietes bicolor

Dietes bicolor is a hardy, evergreen, clump-forming, graceful plant with long narrow, arching, sword-shaped leaves. It bears beautiful, large, yellow flowers with black-brown markings from August to February on long flowering stems.

Do not cut back the flowering stems until they are finished flowering as the flowers are borne in succession along the stem. Tolerates a wide range of soil types including very poor and marshy soils.

Although drought tolerant it prefers a well-watered position and can grow in semi-shade or full sun. Makes a wonderful show when inter-planted with Crocosmia sp.

Flowers attract insects and thus birds to the garden.

Size 1m

Plants for Pollinators: Pollinating insects are attracted to the flowers. These insects in turn attract insectivorous birds.

Landscaping: Excellent plant for mass planting on banks and slopes.Fast growing plant that is good for stabilising soil on slopes.Neat plant for narrow flower beds on boundary walls.

KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape

Natural Habitat Along streams in marshy areas

Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen, Hardiness - Frost: Frost Hardy, Plant Type: Bulbs and Rhizomes, Plant Type: Groundcovers and Perennials, Position: Semi-shade, Position: Shade - Light, Position: Sun - Afternoon, Position: Sun - Full, Position: Sun - Morning, Position: Under deciduous trees, Soil: Well-drained, Garden Uses: Container Plant, Garden Uses: Damp areas, Garden Uses: Hot afternoon sun, Garden Uses: Rockeries and retaining walls, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Garden Uses: Soil Stabilising, Hardiness - Drought: Drought Resistant, Flower colour: Yellow shades, Garden type: Arid garden, Garden type: Forest Garden, Garden type: Rainwater Harvesting Garden, Garden type: River-side and Stream-side Gardens, Garden type: Wetland and Marsh Gardens,

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