Dietes BICOLOR

Dietes BICOLOR - Yellow wild iris, Bicolor dietes, Dietes bicolor, African iris, Fortnight lily.

Dietes is a genus of evergreen rhizomatous perennials in the iris family (Iridaceae), comprising only 6 species naturally distributed in Southern and Central Africa, and on the Australian Lord Howe Island. Several species have successfully naturalized in other parts of the world.

They grow in shady, misty coastal forests on leaf litter, on steep shady slopes, and along forest edges.

The plants have basal, erect, linear, sword-shaped, leathery leaves. Branching stems carry sequentially arranged, flat, individual, short-lived, iris-like flowers. The flowers bloom on stems up to one meter (3.3 ft) high.

Not all species bloom profusely and showily, but they have attractive foliage. Some species grow successfully even in deep shade.

Yellow wild iris is a perennial rhizomatous plant with long sword-shaped pale green leaves growing in a fan from the base of the clump. The flowers are cream or yellow with 3 dark purple spots, each surrounded by an orange outline. Ripe seeds (dark brown in color) are dispersed when the fruits (capsules) dry out, crack open, and their valves diverge to the sides. This species, if left undisturbed for years, is capable of forming huge clumps. In South Africa, this species is often found along roadsides, in public gardens, and in landscaping around office buildings. The plants prefer bright indirect light (bright partial shade) to open sun; under such conditions they bloom very profusely. However, they also grow reasonably well in shaded areas, though blooming less vigorously. This species is very drought-resistant.

Seeds of many species and cultivars require freezing for their germination, so they are sown before winter into the ground or into boxes under the snow. Seedlings appear in spring of the following year. Grown seedlings are transplanted into prepared beds, and with good care they bloom the following year. The first flowering is usually weak, so selection among flowering seedlings is best done in the second year of blooming. Seeds can be stored in the refrigerator until planting time.

Sowing in spring or summer is also possible. In this case, the sowings must be kept in a warm place and monitored so that the soil always remains moist. Because of the very hard seed coat, germination may take up to 4 years.

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Dietes grows well both in sun and in shade. Outdoor garden cultivation is possible only in regions with a warm climate, although the plant is frost-tolerant. It grows well in deep shade under garden trees, as well as in partially shaded conditions.

Permeable soil ensures fast and healthy growth for the plant. Fertile, loamy, well-drained soil is preferred. Regular, timely watering in adequate amounts is required. The plant is able to withstand brief periods of summer drought, provided that it grows in shade.

It is usually propagated by division of the clump. This is done in late autumn or early spring. Divisions must be planted immediately. Clumps no younger than 5-6 years are divided.

Flowering occurs in spring and summer, and in the Southern Hemisphere - in autumn and winter. Despite the long overall flowering period, it is not easy to catch the moment when the flowers are open, because they open late in the day and fade and disappear early in the evening. The lifespan of a single flower is only a few hours.