New Zealand satin flower

New Zealand satin flower: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Compact, evergreen clump 60–80 cm tall and 50–60 cm wide, with leaves in flat fans.

Leaves

Stiff, narrow and sword-shaped, 30–60 cm long, green to yellowish-green; evergreen.

Flower

Small white flowers about 1.5–2 cm across with three petals, in branched, airy sprays from May to July.

Fruit

Orange-yellow, rounded seed capsules after flowering, which stay on the plant for a long time.

Roots

Short, fibrous and rhizomatous: the clump spreads slowly and can be divided in spring.

Flowering: May–July · Plants: April–May · Pruning: April

Why grow it?

• Evergreen fans of narrow leaves give structure to the border, even in winter.
• White flowers in sprays from May to July, followed by decorative orange-yellow seed capsules.
• Slim and elegant, lovely among ornamental grasses, beside a wall or in a large pot.
• Little care if it is grown in a sheltered, well-drained spot.
• Related to the iris and a special addition for anyone looking for something different.

New Zealand satin flower: where does it grow best?

• Sun to partial shade; it flowers most richly in a sunny spot.
• Well-drained, humus-rich soil: sand or loam, acid to neutral. Avoid wet ground.
• Reasonably moist; it dislikes wet feet, especially in winter.
• Choose a sheltered position against a sunny wall or in a nook, out of the cold wind. Allow 50–60 cm per plant.

Light

Sun and partial shade

Soil type

Sand or loam

Acidity

Acid or neutral

Moisture

Normal

Size

0.8 m tall, 0.6 m wide

Hardiness

Half hardy (to -10 °C): protect it in harsh winters

Goes well with

• Ornamental grasses: Fine grass beside the stiff leaves gives contrast.
• Lavender: A low, grey neighbour that loves the same sun and well-drained soil.
• Lady’s mantle: Soft foliage at the foot of the fans.
• Hosta: Broad leaves beside the narrow ones, in partial shade.
• Hardy geranium: A low, flowering neighbour that covers the base.

New Zealand satin flower: when and how to plant it?

Plant in April–May.

1. Plant in April–May, once the risk of hard frost has passed and the plant has a whole season to root.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and mix in compost and sand or fine grit if the soil is heavy.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot and firm the soil well.
4. Leave 50–60 cm between plants.
5. Water thoroughly straight away and keep the soil lightly moist during the first year.
6. Spread a layer of leaf mould or fine bark around the base, keeping it clear of the crown.

Care

Water

Water regularly in dry spells during the first year. After that it is reasonably drought tolerant, but it needs water in long dry periods.

Feeding

A spadeful of compost or organic feed in spring. No more is needed.

Mulching

A layer of leaf mould or dry bark in autumn protects the base from frost; keep the crown clear.

Spent flowers

Leave the seed capsules: they look good in autumn. Cut them off if you prefer.

Dividing

Divide the clump every four or five years in spring to keep it vigorous.

Tip: Plant it in a sheltered spot in well-drained soil and protect it in hard winters. Cut off the dead leaves only in April: they protect the clump in winter.

New Zealand satin flower: when to prune it?

Pruning months: April.

When: In April, when new growth begins.

How:

• Remove dead or brown, frost-damaged leaves from the fans by hand or with scissors.
• Cut dried flower stems back to the clump as soon as they look untidy.
• Do not trim the green leaves: they are the ornament of the plant.
• Gently pull leaves out of the clump instead of cutting them, so as not to damage the core.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In April–May: lift the clump, divide it with a sharp knife or spade into pieces with roots and replant straight away. Keep them moist until they have taken.

Seed

In spring in seed compost in a bright, frost-free spot, lightly covered; seedlings are slow and flower after two to three years.

New Zealand satin flower: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −10 °C: protect in harsh winters.

• Moderately hardy, to about −10 °C: in an average Belgian winter it survives in a sheltered spot, but in hard winters it may be damaged.
• Cover the base in November with a thick layer of dry leaves, bark or straw; in severe frost also wrap the foliage in hessian or fleece.
• In a pot: stand it in a sheltered, frost-free spot in winter or in a cool greenhouse.

Diseases and pests

• Frost damage: The leaf tips turn brown or the whole fan dies. Cut off the dead foliage in April: if the roots are alive, it will regrow. Protect it better next winter.
• Root rot: Wet soil in winter kills the roots and turns the leaves yellow. Plant in free-draining soil and ensure drainage.
• Brown leaf tips: Caused by wind or drought. Choose a sheltered spot and water in long dry spells.
• Slugs: Occasional slug damage to young leaves in spring. Collect them in the evening.

Through the year

• March: Check its winter condition. Look for dead leaves.
• April: Remove dead foliage. Divide or plant. Give compost.
• May: Plant. Flowering begins.
• June: Flowering. Water in dry spells.
• July: Last flowers. Let seed capsules form.
• August: Seed capsules decorate the plant. Water in long dry spells.
• November: Cover the base with dry leaves or bark.
• December: Check the winter protection. Keep dry.

Did you know?

• The genus Libertia is named after Marie-Anne Libert (1782–1865), a Belgian botanist from Malmedy.
• As in the iris, the leaves are arranged in flat fans: the plant belongs to the iris family.
• The white flowers have only three petals and are followed by orange-yellow seed capsules.