About
This evergreen, rhizomatous perennial, up to 90cm tall, with pale green, leathery, narrowly-sword-shaped leaves and iris-like flowers, pale to dark yellow with three dark brown blotches, produced in spring and summer.
About the genus
Dietes are rhizomatous evergreen perennials forming loose clumps of leathery, linear or sword-shaped leaves, with erect stems bearing a succession of short-lived, iris-like flowers with 3 large outer segments and 3 small inner ones, in spring and summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a cool, frost-free greenhouse in full light with good ventilation. Use a peat-free, loam-based potting compost, keeping just moist when dormant
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at at 15°C in autumn or spring, or by dividing the rhizomes after flowering, though they many be difficult to establish
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free