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

Dietes iridioides is a very hardy, evergreen, clump-forming plant with strap-like leaves. This plant tends to grow in a circular / star-shaped pattern. In spring and summer, it bears beautiful, white, Iris-type flowers with purple markings. The flowers close by midday, except on overcast days.  Bees and other insects are attracted to the flowers.

Do not cut back the flowering stems until they have finished flowering, as the flowers are borne in succession along the stem. Young plants develop on the flowering stems.

Grows and flowers very well in deep shade, although, it prefers semi-shade. It will also tolerate sunny conditions. They thrive growing under trees, which is very useful, and they take kindly to regular mulching with compost or wood chips.

Size: 30 to 40cm

Plants for Pollinators: Bees and other insects are attracted to the flowers.

Landscaping: Good plant for under deciduous trees.Plant as understorey in a forest garden.Suitable as a container plant.

Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape

Habitat Evergreen forests and bush clearings.

Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen, Hardiness - Frost: Fairly Hardy, Plant Type: Bulbs and Rhizomes, Plant Type: Groundcovers and Perennials, Position: Semi-shade, Position: Shade, Position: Shade - Light, Position: Sun - Afternoon, Position: Sun - Morning, Soil: Loamy - Compost rich Soil, Soil: Well-drained, Garden Uses: Container Plant, Garden Uses: Local to Gauteng, Garden Uses: Retaining wall blocks, Garden Uses: Rockeries and retaining walls, Garden Uses: Shade, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Garden Uses: Soil Stabilising, Hardiness - Drought: Drought Hardy, Flower colour: White - Cream, Garden type: Cottage Garden, Garden type: Forest Garden, Garden type: River-side and Stream-side Gardens, Garden type: Rocky outcrop and Koppie Gardens,

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