Dietes grandiflora also known as African iris or large wild iris, is an evergreen perennial that can grow up to 90 cm high.
This amazingly exotic flowering plant occurs naturally along the Eastern coastal areas of the Southern Cape of South Africa.
Dietes known "From two family members" and refers to the relationship between the genus Moraea and Iris. Grandiflora means "large-flowered".
The flowers stand on a thin flower stalk and protrude just above the leaf. Often after a period of drought when it rains well, new flowers appear again in abundance.
The Dietes is a very strong bloomer.
The flowers are attractive and predominantly white colored with accents yellow and violet.
The plant flowers alternately from June to September.
When the flower has finished flowering, a 4 to 5 cm long seed box appears.
The leaf can grow to 70/80 cm high and 2 cm wide, is dark green in color.
The plant slowly expands through rhizomes.
Dietes likes to be sunny or in the light shade. Furthermore, the African lily is well drought tolerant.
Very easy container plant. If planted in the ground, cover well that the rhizomes do not freeze, in the spring the plant reappears.
If the Dietes is kept as a container plant, overwinter frost free, root should not freeze. Plant is therefore evergreen.
Winter hardiness zone 8a (-12ºC).