Belamcanda Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 22nd Oct 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Belamcanda plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Belamcanda boasts vibrant orange flowers with speckled petals, resembling a blackberry. Its striking appearance can make it a visual standout in gardens.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: These lilies thrive in full sun to light shade and require a well-draining soil. They're adaptable, but prefer to have moderately fertile conditions.
- General Care: They are of relatively low maintenance. Water moderately, and deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued flowering.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Blackberry Lily is an ideal plant for beginners as it is known for its adaptability. It offers a unique look with minimal fuss. They are generally pest-free, but keep an eye out for aphids and leaf spots.
Blackberry Lily, and Leopard Flower Plants: Cultivation & Garden Use
Belamcanda plants are hardy perennials.
They are often known by their common names of Blackberry lily or Leopard flower. Varieties include Belamcanda chinensis, Belamcanda flabellata and Belamcanda freckle face.
Following genetic analysis, Belamcanda has now been classified as an Iris, and scientifically renamed to Iris domestica; many gardeners still use their more familiar name.
They flower in the summer with brightly colored sword like freckly orange flowers; many have been bred to have yellow, pink and purple varieties. Plants tend to be about 18 to 36 inches (45 to 90 cm) in height.
Following flowering they produce seedpods, when these split open their shiny black seeds look similar to blackberries (hence the common name).
Ideal companion plants for Belamcanda include Coneflowers, Black Eyed Susan, and Ornamental Grasses such as Maiden Grass, and Fountain Grass.
How to Grow Belamcanda Species such as Blackberry Lily
It is best to sow Belamcanda seeds outdoors in the early spring or autumn, lightly cover the seeds following sowing.
If using Belamcanda root stocks, then these should be planted at a depth of 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm).
If you plan to start plants off indoors, then sow seeds about eight weeks before due to the planned transplanting outdoors.
The seeds should first be placed in moist soil and placed in a plastic bag, refrigerated for one week before shifting to the light. Germination of Belamcanda should be performed at a temperature of 66 to 84°F (19 to 29°Celsius.
The seedlings can then be planted outdoors in early spring, before the last frost or in early autumn.
Locate in either a sunny or lightly shaded area of the garden, using a moist well drained soil with a pH of 5 to 7. Use a spacing of about six to eight inches (15 to 20 cm).
Belamcanda chinensis (leopard Flower) photograph by Jeffery Coffman.
Caring Belamcanda in the Garden
Easy to look after: drought resistant once established, but water in dry spells. Cut back the plant to the ground in the autumn.
Adding a later of mulch can help to keep soil moist and to protect its roots from changes in temperature. Providing a light application of a balanced fertilizer in spring can promote more vigorous growth and blooms.
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Belamcanda Growing and Care Guide
- Common Names: Blackberry Lily, Leopard flower, Leopard Lily.
- Family: Asparagales.
- Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
- Height: 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm).
- Native: China.
- Growing Region: Zones 5 to 10. As a perennial in zones 8 to 10.
- Flowers: Summer and early autumn.
- Flower Details: Orange, red, yellow, purple, pink. Freckled. Flat. Six petals.
- Foliage: Herbaceous. Sword-shaped. Grow in fans. Green.
- Sow Outside: Cover seed or plant roots at a depth of 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm). Start of spring or the beginning of autumn. Spacing 6 to 9 inches (15 to 22 cm).
- Sow Inside: Mix seeds in a moist growing medium, place in a freezer bag, and then stratify by refrigeration for one week. Germination time: two weeks to two months. Temperature 65 to 85°F (18 to 29 °C). Two months in advance. Transplant outdoors before the last frost or at the start of autumn.
- Requirements: Full sunlight or partial shade. Good drainage. Soil pH 5.0 to 7.0. Rich soil, moist soil. Can tolerate many other soils. Regular watering during dry periods. Cut back to the ground in autumn. Propagate: dividing in the spring.
- Miscellaneous: Synonymous with Iris domestica as it was transferred to the Iris Genus in 2005 based upon DNA sequence evidence.
Common Questions
How many members does the Belamcanda genus have?
The Belamcanda genus is small, with only one recognized species.
Do members of Belamcanda make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Belamcanda chinensis or Blackberry Lily is known for its bright flowers and can make a great addition to gardens.
Which Belamcanda species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
Belamcanda chinensis (Blackberry Lily) is the species most commonly grown in gardens.
Are members of the Belamcanda plant genus fragrant?
No, Belamcanda flowers are not particularly fragrant, but are visually attractive.
What is the perfect location to grow Belamcanda?
Belamcanda prefers full sun and well-drained soil for optimal growth.
Is Belamcanda invasive in the USA?
Belamcanda is not currently considered invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Belamcanda plants from my garden?
Remove Belamcanda by digging around the base of the plant, loosening the soil, and lifting the plant out.
Summary
The Belamcanda genus, also known as blackberry lily or leopard lily, is part of the Iridaceae family. This Asian native is famous for its vibrant, spotted flowers and seed pods that split open to reveal black seeds resembling blackberries.
Belamcanda thrives in well-drained soil under full sun to partial shade. They are usually planted in the spring as bulbs or seedlings. Regular watering is needed, particularly in dry periods, but avoid water-logging. The soil should also be enriched with organic matter to encourage optimal growth.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Belamcanda plants. You may also enjoy the following Iris growing guides: How to grow Iris plants and Japanese Iris.
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