Fortnight Lily

Dietes bicolor

$16.00

1 Gallon | Hardiness Zones 8-10

Bring a touch of elegance and resilience to your garden with Dietes bicolor, a plant deeply rooted in history and celebrated for its beauty. Commonly known as the African Iris or Fortnight Lily, Dietes bicolor hails from the grasslands and coastal regions of South Africa, where it thrives in full sun to part shade and resiliently weathers harsh environments. Its botanical name, Dietes, means “two relatives,” referring to its close relationship with the irises and gladioluses, both celebrated for their striking flowers.

Historically, Dietes bicolor was a plant of utility and admiration. Early South African settlers marveled at its ability to bloom in cycles, often every two weeks during the growing season—hence the name “Fortnight Lily.” This pattern of flowering made it a favored addition to early colonial gardens, where its delicate yellow flowers with striking purple-brown markings added charm to cultivated landscapes. These blooms only last a day, but the plant's impressive ability to produce flowers continuously ensures a steady stream of color.

Over the centuries, Dietes bicolor has found its way into gardens across the world, prized for its resilience and ability to thrive in both well-tended landscapes and wild, natural settings. Its origins in Africa’s tough environments make it particularly drought-resistant, adapting well to modern water-wise gardens. With graceful, sword-like evergreen foliage and flowers that sway delicately in the breeze, Dietes bicolor brings a combination of hardiness and beauty that few plants can match.

Pickup available at Aiken Nursery

Usually ready in 2-4 days

PLANT DETAILS

Hardiness Zones: 8 - 10

Soil: Well-drained, Loam, and Sandy

Sun: Full Sun and Part Shade

Seasonal Behavior: Evergreen

Growth Rate: Fast

Height at Maturity: 12 - 15 Inches

Spread at Maturity: 12 - 15 Inches

Flowers: Dietes bicolor produces delicate, pale yellow flowers with dark brown to purple blotches at the base of the outer tepals. Each flower typically lasts just one day, but the plant blooms continuously over a long period, especially in warm weather. The flowers grow on tall, slender stems above the foliage, giving the plant an elegant appearance. The blooms can appear sporadically throughout the year in the right climate.

Foliage: The foliage consists of long, slender, sword-shaped leaves that grow in a fan-like arrangement. The leaves are dark green, growing up to 24 inches (60 cm) in length and about 0.5 to 1 inch (1-2.5 cm) wide. The evergreen foliage provides an attractive year-round presence, especially in landscaping where texture and movement are desired.

Light: Dietes bicolor thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers full sunlight but can tolerate some shade, particularly in hotter climates.

Soil: This plant adapts to a variety of soils, though it prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soil. It can also tolerate clay soils as long as they don’t stay waterlogged.

Watering: Water regularly during its active growing season (spring and summer). While Dietes bicolor is drought-tolerant, it performs best when kept in consistently moist soil. Reduce watering in winter as the plant enters a semi-dormant state.

Temperature: Dietes bicolor is frost-tolerant and can handle mild frosts, but it thrives in warmer climates with temperatures ranging from 50°F to 85°F (10°C to 29°C). It can grow in USDA hardiness zones 8-10.

Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring and summer. Too much fertilizer may lead to lush foliage at the expense of flowers, so moderate feeding is recommended.

Pruning: Remove spent flower stalks and old foliage to encourage new growth and maintain a neat appearance. Pruning helps the plant direct energy to flower production.

Propagation: Dietes bicolor can be propagated by dividing clumps in early spring. It can also self-seed, although the seedlings may not always be true to the parent plant.

Pests/Diseases: Generally, Dietes bicolor is pest and disease-resistant, but occasionally aphids or spider mites may appear. Treat with insecticidal soap if necessary.

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