Landscape low maintenance and pro plant tip: African iris

Dietes vegeta or, African iris, is a very hardy accent. You can get them in either white flower or yellow which is called ‘lemon drop’. It has spikey grass like foliage that spreads in a fan pattern at about 24-30” making it a great mid-level plant in any arrangement. The flowers dance on stalks just above the foliage.

Conditions: They can handle a variety of soil conditions, including wet soil. They can also handle a variety of lighting conditions but in deeper shade they may flower less.

Installation: Make sure not to plant these too deep. The crown of the plant should be installed so that it is just above the soil level. Make sure not to bury the crown with mulch. Either one of these mistakes could cause the iris to rot and die. These plants do fine in hot, dry conditions; just make sure they get adequate irrigation.

Care: These plants won’t need much. You could thin them occasionally and trim out the dead leaves. I’ve noticed that the yellow lemon drop rotates foliage a bit faster which requires more frequent cleanup of dead leaves but otherwise this is a problem free plant untroubled by pest or disease unless planted too deep or buried in mulch at install.

Overwinter: Established plants may lose some foliage to freezing temps but the plant rebounds quickly.

University of Florida IFAS write up: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP179

Earthwise Horticultural Services provides landscape design and installation services in Central Florida. The service area includes Seminole and East Orange counties (Lake Mary, Sanford, Heathrow, Winter Park, Winter Springs, Altamonte Springs, Orlando, Longwood, Casselberry areas and nearby).