• Photo of Iris domestica (Iris domesticas)

Plant Profile: Iris domestica

Taxonomy: Iris domestica

Names

Blackberry Lily, Chinese Blackberry Lily, Chinese Leopard Flower, Dwarf Tiger Lily, Leopard Lily

  • Photo of Iris domestica (Iris domesticas)

Phonetic Spelling:EYE-ris doh-MESS-tik-a

Genus:Iris

Species:domestica

Family:Iridaceae

Blackberry Lily is a perennial plant with rhizomes, belonging to the iris family, and is indigenous to Asia. Its foliage resembles that of irises, while its flowers are reminiscent of lilies, producing fruit that splits open to reveal clusters of seeds akin to blackberries. In late summer, the striking orange-spotted flowers bloom in clusters of three to twelve, lasting for several weeks.

For optimal growth, it is essential to plant Blackberry Lily in well-drained soil, particularly during winter, as overly wet conditions can be detrimental. Position the plants in average, moist, well-drained garden soil, ensuring they receive full sun to partial shade, and space them 3-4 inches apart (approximately 6-9 per square foot), planting them to a depth of 5 inches to reach the base of the rhizome. Once established, these plants exhibit drought tolerance. They are well-suited for use in the perennial borders of cottage or coastal gardens.

Regarding pests and diseases, Blackberry Lily does not face significant threats; however, its rhizomes may be susceptible to Iris borers.

For further details, refer to information on Iris.

Iris domestica Feature Summary

Iris domestica Image Gallery

Tags

#red
#full sun tolerant
#houseplant
#drought tolerant
#orange
#red flowers
#cut flowers
#spotted
#orange flowers
#low maintenance
#summer flowers
#herbaceous perennial
#borders
#fan shaped
#HS302
#problem for cats
#problem for dogs
#problem for horses

Similar Plants

Iris domestica Feature Summary

Attributes
The rhizome has been used in Asian herbal medicine
Himalayas to Russian Far East
Attracts butterflies
Perennial
Fruit
Yellow-green and lobed capsules split to reveal blackberry like seed cluster.
Green
Gold/Yellow
Black
1-3 inches
Flowers
Orange/red flowers bloom at the top of the stems in summer (July to August). The 2-inch flowers are mainly orange but have red dots and a tint of yellow at the center of the flower.
Pink
Purple/Lavender
Gold/Yellow
Red/Burgundy
Orange
Cream/Tan
6 petals/rays
1-3 inches
Leaves
Erect green leaves are up to 10 inches long and iris-like. Grows in flattened fans from an underground rhizome.
> 6 inches
Whole Plant Traits
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Medium
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Dry
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
9a
9b
10a
10b
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Landscape
Drought Tolerant Garden
Cottage Garden
Drought
Insect Pests
Diseases
Walkways
Coastal
Butterflies
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses

Iris domestica Attributes

Iris domestica: Uses (Ethnobotany)

The rhizome has been used in Asian herbal medicine

Iris domestica: Country Or Region Of Origin

Himalayas to Russian Far East

Iris domestica: Wildlife Value

Attracts butterflies

Iris domestica: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)

drought

Iris domestica: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Iris domestica: Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Iris domestica Fruit

Iris domestica: Fruit Description

Yellow-green and lobed capsules split to reveal blackberry like seed cluster.

Iris domestica: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Iris domestica: Fruit Color

grass
Black
grass
Gold/Yellow
grass
Green

Iris domestica: Fruit Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Iris domestica: Display/Harvest Time

Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter

Iris domestica: Fruit Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches

Iris domestica Flowers

Iris domestica: Flower Description

Orange/red flowers bloom at the top of the stems in summer (July to August). The 2-inch flowers are mainly orange but have red dots and a tint of yellow at the center of the flower.

Iris domestica: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Cream/Tan
filter_vintage
Gold/Yellow
filter_vintage
Orange
filter_vintage
Pink
filter_vintage
Purple/Lavender
filter_vintage
Red/Burgundy

Iris domestica: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Iris domestica: Flower Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Iris domestica: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Iris domestica: Flower Petals

2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals

Iris domestica: Flower Shape

Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel

Iris domestica: Flower Size

1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches

Iris domestica Leaves

Iris domestica: Leaf Description

Erect green leaves are up to 10 inches long and iris-like. Grows in flattened fans from an underground rhizome.

Iris domestica: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Iris domestica: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Iris domestica: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Iris domestica: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Iris domestica: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Iris domestica Stem

Iris domestica: Stem Description

wire-like

Iris domestica: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Iris domestica Whole Plant Traits

Iris domestica: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Iris domestica: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Iris domestica: Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Iris domestica: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Iris domestica: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Iris domestica Cultural Conditions

Iris domestica: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Iris domestica: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Iris domestica: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Iris domestica: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
10a
thermostat
10b
thermostat
5a
thermostat
5b
thermostat
6a
thermostat
6b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b
thermostat
9a
thermostat
9b

Iris domestica: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Iris domestica Landscape

Iris domestica: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Iris domestica: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Iris domestica: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Iris domestica: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Iris domestica: Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees

Iris domestica: Problems

Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy