General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Partial or Dappled Shade
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 8a -12.2 °C (10 °F) to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11
Plant Height: 3 to 4 feet
Plant Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Leaves: Evergreen
Flowers: Showy
Blooms on old wood
Flower Color: White
Multi-Color: white petals with violet styles. Outer petals have golden markings near the base and the inner petals have dark brown markings.
Bloom Size: 2"-3"
Flower Time: Spring
Late spring or early summer
Summer
Late summer or early fall
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Drought tolerant
Propagation: Other methods: Division
Offsets
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger

Image
Common names
  • Butterfly Iris
  • Wild Iris
  • Fortnight Lily
  • Fairy Iris
  • Large Wild Iris

Photo Gallery
Location: Central Florida, zone 9
Date: Feb 21, 2018
The first of many blooms from our African iris
Location: My garden near Lincoln UK
Date: 2008-08-24
I grew plants from seed and kept them in a greenhouse, the last t
Location: Tampa, FL
Date: 2015-03-08
Blooming at the Museum of Science and Industry
Location: Kula Botanical Garden, Maui
Date: 2015-05-17
Also called Fairy Iris, it is certainly exotic.
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2013-02-01
Location: Wouw Netherlands
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden
Date: 2018-08-31
Location: Martin County Florida
Date: April
afternoon photo
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden
Date: 2018-08-31
Location: Odessa, FL
Date: 2013-04-14
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2012-10-22 
Photo taken at Washington Oaks State Park, Palm Coast, Florida
Location: Plano, TX
These are nearly two months old
Location: Odessa, FL
Date: 2013-04-14
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2012-10-22 
Photo taken at Washington Oaks State Park, Palm Coast, Florida
Location: Tampa, FL
Date: 2015-03-08
At the Museum of Science and Industry
Location: Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Date: June
credit: Magnus Manske
Location: north central Texas
Date: 2014-10-25
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2012-10-22 
Photo taken at Washington Oaks State Park, Palm Coast, Florida
Comments:
  • Posted by OldGardener (So Cal - Zone 10b) on Jul 16, 2014 9:29 AM concerning plant:
    Many plants sold as Dietes irioides are actually Dietes grandiflora. D. grandiflora has dark, brownish markings on the inner tepals but D. iridioides does not.


    A very special "thank you" to Evan for posting the photos!
  • Posted by OldGardener (So Cal - Zone 10b) on Jul 16, 2014 1:05 PM concerning plant:
    Do NOT remove the stem that bloomed as it will bloom next year. Each stem blooms for multiple years.
  • Posted by flaflwrgrl (North Fl. - Zone 8b) on Dec 9, 2011 12:15 PM concerning plant:
    This is an easy care plant which performs & performs. It is one you don't need to provide much care for. After establishing; it takes care of itself. Drought hardy doesn't begin to describe it & you are rewarded with these beautiful flowers. When not in bloom the foliage is pretty too. I have found zero pest or disease problems with this plant.
  • Plant Events from our members
    piksihk On April 3, 2016 Bloomed
    large clump under crape myrtle
    piksihk On September 19, 2015 Potted up
    dug up all from the west bed; transplanted to HW
    Australis On December 25, 2017 Obtained plant
    Given to me as a Christmas present.
    » Post your own event for this plant

    Discussion Threads about this plant
    Thread Title Last Reply Replies
    Could this be D. grandiflora? by OldGardener Jul 19, 2014 2:21 PM 7
    Plant ID by eclayne Feb 21, 2018 7:24 PM 0

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