Blackberry lily

Blackberry lily: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Upright clump 60–90 cm tall and 30 cm wide, with fans of sword-shaped leaves.

Foliage

Blue-green, sword-shaped and arranged in a fan, 30–45 cm long, like an iris.

Flower

Star-shaped flowers about 5 cm across, orange with red spots, in loose clusters on branched stems, in July–August.

Fruit

Oval capsules that split open in autumn to show a cluster of glossy black, blackberry-like seeds.

Roots

A creeping rhizome just below the surface, like an iris.

Flowering: July–August · Sowing: February–March · Plants: April–May · Pruning: March

Why grow it?

• Striking orange flowers with red spots, unusual in a Belgian border.
• Flowers from July to August, when many other plants struggle.
• The blackberry-like seed clusters in autumn are decorative and wonderful in dried arrangements.
• The fan-shaped, blue-green foliage is handsome even without flowers.
• Tolerates drought and self-sows, so you keep getting new plants.

Blackberry lily: where does it grow best?

• Full sun: in shade it hardly flowers and the stems flop.
• Well-drained soil: sand or loam, acid to chalky. Heavy, wet clay is unsuitable.
• Dry to average moisture: it tolerates drought, but not permanent wet in winter.
• Sheltered from strong wind; the tall stems may need support.
• Space plants 25–30 cm apart, preferably in groups of three or five.

Light

Sun

Soil type

Sand or loam

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Dry or normal

Size

0.8 m tall, 0.3 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -20 °C)

Goes well with

• Ornamental grasses: Fine stems as a soft backdrop for the orange flowers.
• Rudbeckia: Yellow and brown flowers in the same warm colours.
• Sage: Blue-purple spikes that contrast with orange.
• Lady’s mantle: A light, yellow-green edge at the front of the border.
• Lavender: Scent and colour that go well together in a sunny border.

Blackberry lily: when and how to plant it?

Plant in April–May.

1. Sow indoors in February–March, or plant container-grown plants in April–May, after the last frost.
2. Dig a hole and mix in sand or grit if the soil is heavy, for better drainage.
3. Set the rhizome shallow, about 2–3 cm below the surface, with the fan of leaves upwards.
4. Leave 25–30 cm between plants.
5. Water straight away and keep the soil lightly moist until the plant has settled in.
6. Spread a thin layer of fine bark or grit around the plant, keeping it off the rhizome.

Care

Water

In dry weather during the first year. After that, water in long dry spells is enough.

Feeding

Little: a thin layer of compost in spring. Too much feed gives floppy foliage and fewer flowers.

Support

In windy spots, put in canes so the tall stems do not blow over.

Deadheading

Leave the flowers if you want the seed clusters, or trim them to limit self-sowing.

Dividing

Divide the rhizomes every three to four years; this keeps the plant vigorous.

Tip: It is often short-lived but self-sows on sunny, well-drained soil: leave a few seedlings to replace the old plants.

Blackberry lily: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March.

When: In March you cut back the dead foliage; in October you cut the seed clusters for dried arrangements.

How:

• Cut the dead foliage down to just above the ground in March.
• Cut stems with seed clusters in October and hang them upside down to dry.
• Remove faded flowers if you do not want seedlings.

Caution: All parts are poisonous, especially the rhizome and seeds. Wear gloves: the sap can irritate the skin.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Seed

Sow seed indoors in February–March at 18–21 °C, after soaking overnight. It germinates in 2–4 weeks. Plant out in May; early seedlings may flower in the first or second year. The plant also self-sows.

Division

In spring, lift the rhizomes and divide them into pieces with at least one leaf and roots. Replant at once, shallowly.

Blackberry lily: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −20 °C.

• Hardy to about −20 °C as long as the soil is well drained: it survives most Belgian winters.
• In autumn, lay a dry layer of bark or leaves over the rhizome in cold areas.
• Wet feet in winter are more dangerous than frost: plant in a sunny, raised spot.
• Often short-lived: let a few seedlings come up to replace the plant.

Diseases and pests

• Rhizome rot: The foliage turns yellow and the plant collapses, especially after a wet winter. Ensure good drainage and plant shallowly.
• Leaf spot: Brown spots on the leaves in damp weather. Cut off affected leaves and allow space.
• Slugs: They eat young shoots in spring. Pick off slugs or lay a barrier of crushed shells.
• Short life: The plant disappears after a few years. Let seedlings come up or sow new plants every two years.

Through the year

• February: Sow seed indoors.
• March: Cut back dead foliage. Sow. Divide.
• April: Plant or divide. Apply compost.
• May: Plant seedlings out after the last frost.
• June: Water in dry weather. Put in stakes.
• July: Flowering begins.
• August: Flowering. Optionally trim faded flowers.
• September: The capsules split open.
• October: Cut stems with seed clusters for dried arrangements.
• November: Cover the rhizome with a dry layer.
• December: Dormant.

Edible and useful

Not edible. All parts of blackberry lily are poisonous, especially the rhizome and the seeds. In autumn the seed pods split open to show a cluster of glossy black seeds that looks like a blackberry (hence the name): children find them tempting, but they are hard and poisonous. Cut off the seed pods where small children play, and keep dried arrangements out of their reach. Also poisonous to dogs, cats and grazing animals; the sap can irritate the skin. If any is swallowed, call a poison centre (in Belgium 070 245 245) or your doctor at once.

Did you know?

• DNA research led to the plant being placed in the irises in 2005: it used to be called Belamcanda chinensis.
• It has been crossed with a related species, which gave the ‘candy lilies’, plants with flowers in many colours.
• The seed clusters look like a blackberry, hence the name blackberry lily.