Chinese Iris (Belamcanda chinensis) 5 seeds

Blackberry Lily - Belamcanda chinensis - 5 Seeds

This lily-like flower belongs to the iris family. It's commonly known as Leopard Flower. This plant originates from Asia and reaches heights of up to 1 m. The plant blooms from mid-summer until September with orange-red flowers that have characteristic spots.

In garden architecture, this extraordinary perennial is grown for its unusual black berries that cluster in seed pods. In autumn, the seed pods burst open and provide a magnificent spectacle! In our regions, it's mostly grown as a portable balcony plant, as it doesn't tolerate severe frost well. Frost resistance down to -20°C.

In larger doses it can be toxic.

How to Grow Blackberry Lily

• The plant requires sunny locations, soil should be permeable, nutritious, preferably neutral, rather moist but not waterlogged. In a dry sheltered spot, it can overwinter outdoors in open ground. Don't forget to insulate with a sufficient layer of conifer branches or straw to prevent the plant from freezing. It can be grown year-round as a potted plant.

• Soak seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water. Then sow in permeable substrate (crushed coconut fiber). After germination, plants are transplanted into permeable humus-rich soil. Sowing is done in February to March. At room temperature, germination takes approximately 14 days.

• A sandy mixture of compost and hotbed soil is suitable. The substrate doesn't need to be very rich, but permeable - due to the watery nature of the rhizomes, they may rot if overwatered.

• Apply fertilizer 1-2 times monthly. Use liquid complete fertilizer, especially during the flowering period.

• Not affected by diseases or pests. During winter months, root rot may occur due to excessive watering.

Photo Sources:
By I, Brighterorange, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2430910
By Francisco Boratto - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48705739