Plant Care Guides / Outdoor & Coastal / Perennials and bulbs
Indigenous | Easy Care | Perennials and bulbs
The wild iris is one of the most reliable and low-maintenance perennials for a coastal garden. It forms neat, upright fans of dark green, sword-shaped, evergreen leaves, and from spring through summer it produces a succession of delicate, iris-like flowers on tall, wiry stems.
Dietes grandiflora has large white flowers with purple and yellow markings. Dietes bicolour has smaller, pale yellow flowers with brown spots. Both flower prolifically and both are completely adapted to the coastal conditions here: wind, salt air, sandy soil and drought. Each flower lasts just a day, but they are produced in such succession that the plant seems to be in constant bloom for months. It is also one of the best perennials for difficult, dry, semi-shaded positions.
60 cm to 1.2 m in flower, depending on species. Grandiflora is the larger.
Moderate. Forms substantial clumps over a few years.
Mass planting, border, edging, along driveways, under trees, poolside, container. One of the most versatile and forgiving perennials available.
Full sun to semi-shade. It flowers in both, which is unusual and valuable.
Any soil, including sandy, poor and alkaline conditions. One of the least fussy perennials about soil.
Low once established. It copes with extended drought and survives on rainfall alone.
A feed in spring encourages heavier flowering, but it performs well without any feeding at all.
Do not cut the flowering stems after the flowers finish, because each stem produces flowers for several seasons. Only remove a stem when it has completely dried and finished. Remove dead leaves from the base as needed. Divide congested clumps every few years.
Ask about availability. WhatsApp us to check what is currently in stock, or visit the nursery and we will help you choose the right plant for your spot.
