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Iris domestica

blackberry lily

Iridaceae Eastern Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–10

Overview

Iris domestica is a clump-forming perennial growing 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) tall from short rhizomes, with flat fans of sword-shaped leaves 8–18 inches (20–45 cm) long arranged like those of an iris. Branched flower stems carry loose clusters of flowers 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) across, each with six spreading orange tepals heavily spotted with red, opening for a single day in mid to late summer. After bloom, pear-shaped capsules split open to reveal a tight cluster of shiny black seeds that resemble a blackberry and hold on the stalk into autumn. Formerly placed in the genus Belamcanda spp. as Belamcanda chinensis, the species is native to eastern Asia and has naturalized across much of the eastern United States. It grows in open woods, meadows, and roadsides on well-drained soil. I. domestica is short-lived but self-seeds readily, and all parts are toxic if eaten.

Native Range

Iris domestica is native to eastern Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, the Russian Far East, and northern India. It has naturalized widely in the eastern United States, where it grows in open woods, meadows, dry banks, and roadsides.

Suggested Uses

Used in sunny borders, cottage gardens, meadows, and dried arrangements, where the black seed clusters hold their form after cutting. Spaced 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart, it gives upright form and late-summer color.

How to Identify

Identify I. domestica by its iris-like fans of sword-shaped leaves and branched stems of orange flowers spotted with red, each flower with six tepals and lasting a single day. The split seed capsules expose a cluster of glossy black seeds that look like a blackberry. The spotted orange flowers and blackberry-like seed clusters separate it from true irises.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

orange

red

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Summer

Flowering occurs in mid to late summer, mainly July to August. Each orange flower spotted with red, 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) across, opens for a single day, with new flowers following over several weeks. Glossy black seed clusters then form and persist into autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

orange spotted with red

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow I. domestica in full sun to part shade in average, well-drained soil. It tolerates heat, humidity, and lean soil and suits borders, meadows, and dry banks. Soil pH from 5.5 to 7.5 is suitable. The plant is short-lived, often persisting three to four years, but self-seeds to maintain a stand. It rots in wet, poorly drained ground over winter. It is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10. Established clumps need little care.

Pruning

Cut spent flower stems back after bloom, or leave them to develop the black seed clusters for autumn interest and self-sowing. Old foliage can be cleared in late winter. Removing seed heads before they ripen limits spread where it is not wanted.