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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Iridaceae (Irises) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Fall |
| Synonyms: [Dietes bicolor 'Select Form'] |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Dietes bicolor 'Liz's Selection' (Yellow Wild Iris) - An evergreen rhizomatous perennial with clusters of fans of 2 to 3 foot fall, narrow light green sword-shaped leaves. Like the species this selection has yellow flowers with brownish maroon blotches at the base of the petals but this form was selected for its larger and darker yellow flowers. The individual flowers, on a branching inflorescence rising just above the foliage, only last for one day but are quickly replaced by another over a long period. Flowering occurs off and on for most of the year but primarily in the warmer months from spring to fall. Plant in full coastal sun or light shade with regular to occasional irrigation - it can actually be considered a water conserving plant in coastal gardens when grown in light shade. Hardy to about 20-25 degrees F. Dietes bicolor grows native in the summer rainfall Bathhurst area of Eastern Cape region of South Africa. The species is considered to be the most primitive of the Dietes, a genus which is only found in Africa from Ethiopia south to the Cape and also on Lord Howe island, between Australia and New Zealand. The name for the genus is from the Greek words 'di' meaning "twice" or "dual" and 'etes' meaning "affinities" because of this plants close relationship to the genus Moraea and the Iris of the Northern Hemisphere. The Dietes were once included with the Moraea, which grow from a corm, but were split off into their own genus because they are rhizomatous plants. Although this genus was described in the 19th century, these plants are often still mistakenly called Moraea. The specific epithet means two colored in reference to the yellow petals with the maroon spot. Our crops have been built up from a single 5 gallon plant given to us in 1999 by Liz Kimmel of Sperling Nursery.
The information about Dietes bicolor 'Liz's Selection' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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