Libertia spp.
New Zealand iris
New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea, and South America
Overview
Libertia is a genus of about a dozen evergreen perennials in the iris family, Iridaceae, native to New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea, and the temperate Andes of South America. Plants form clumps or slowly spreading tufts of narrow, grass-like leaves 8-36 inches (20-90 cm) long, growing from short rhizomes. In late spring and early summer, wiry branched stems carry clusters of flat, three-petaled flowers, most often white with a yellow center, held above or among the foliage. L. peregrinans and related species develop orange to bronze leaf tones in cool weather and in bright sun. Flowering is followed by rounded seed capsules that split to release orange-coated seeds. The genus grows in open, sunny to lightly shaded sites in moist but free-draining soil and tolerates coastal exposure. Established clumps withstand short dry spells but thin out in deep shade and in waterlogged ground. Foliage browns at the tips in hard frost in the colder part of the range, with most species hardy to about USDA zone 8.
Native Range
Libertia species are native to the Southern Hemisphere, occurring in New Zealand, southeastern Australia and Tasmania, New Guinea, and the temperate Andes of Chile and Argentina, where they grow in grassland, open forest, streamsides, and coastal scrub.Suggested Uses
Used in mixed borders, gravel and coastal gardens, rain gardens, and mass plantings, and as structural evergreen clumps among grasses and perennials. Orange-leaved species supply winter foliage color, and all species suit containers in free-draining mix.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs from late spring into early summer, generally October to December in the native Southern Hemisphere range and May to June in cultivation in the Northern Hemisphere. White three-petaled flowers open in succession over several weeks. Rounded seed capsules follow and persist into autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White with yellow centerFoliage Description
Dark green to orange-bronzeGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Libertia grows in full sun to light shade in moist, free-draining soil of average fertility. Most species tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy and coastal soils, and withstand wind and salt spray. Even soil moisture during the growing season produces the fullest clumps, while waterlogged winter soil causes rot. Established plants tolerate short dry periods but thin out in prolonged drought. Hardiness varies by species, with many reliable to USDA zone 8 and some to zone 7. Orange-leaved species color most strongly in open sun.Pruning
Dead leaves and spent flower stems are combed or cut out in early spring to keep clumps tidy. Old congested clumps can be lifted and divided in spring to maintain vigor. No regular pruning is otherwise needed for these evergreen perennials.Pruning Schedule
early spring
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons