Overview
Dietes robinsoniana is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Dietes, part of the Iridaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Dietes robinsoniana grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, mediterranean climate plants and gravel garden.
About
Dietes robinsoniana, the Lord Howe wedding lily, is found naturally only on Lord Howe Island, Australia. It grows on cliff faces, often in exposed locations. It is also Found on forest margins and the tops of Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird and behind the beaches on Lord Howe Island. It is one of the world's most intriguing and remarkable biogeographic disjunctions, with its nearest phylogenetic relatives occurring in Africa. In the wild it grows across Norfolk Is. and Australia. Grow it in full sun and partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is half-hardy and may need winter protection in colder areas (RHS H3). It works well for city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, mediterranean climate plants and gravel garden. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in a suitable position. Water during establishment.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dietes robinsoniana
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Dietes
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
Dietes robinsoniana size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants, Gravel garden
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Dietes robinsoniana
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed at 13-15°C (55-59°F) in autumn or spring. Alternatively, propagate by division of rhizomes after flowering. Plants may be difficult to establish
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Dietes robinsoniana?
Dietes robinsoniana prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Dietes robinsoniana need?
Dietes robinsoniana is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Dietes robinsoniana hardy in the UK?
Dietes robinsoniana has an RHS hardiness rating of H3, meaning it is half-hardy, tolerating -5 to 1°C, and may need winter protection in colder areas.
How do I propagate Dietes robinsoniana?
Propagate by seed at 13-15°C (55-59°F) in autumn or spring. Alternatively, propagate by division of rhizomes after flowering. Plants may be difficult to establish.
