Dietes Bicolor

Yellow Wild Iris / Fornight Lily / African Iris / Peacock Flower / Spanish Iris

Botanical Name: Dietes bicolor
Family: Iridaceae
Origin: South Africa
Plant Type: Strappy grass-like evergreen perennial

Overview

A tough, low-maintenance “plant and forget” for SA gardens. Dietes bicolor forms tidy fans of arch­ing, sword-like green leaves and sends up repeated flushes of pale lemon, “butterfly” flowers with chocolate blotches from spring through the warm months (often after rain). Ideal for borders, mass plantings, verges and large pots in coastal and Mediterranean climates.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.6–1.0 m H × 0.5–0.8 m W (clump)
• Growth Rate: 20-40 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Dense clumps of upright, strappy, mid-green leaves; neat architectural habit
• Flowers: Pale yellow/lemon flowers with brown-purple markings; numerous flushes spring–autumn (each bloom short-lived, but many produced)
  
• Seasonal Interest: Year-round evergreen structure; peak flowering spring–summer, with spot blooms in autumn
• Wildlife Value: Nectar/pollen for insects; clumps offer shelter for small fauna
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant
  coastal-tolerant; light–moderate frost (protect from hard frost); clay-tolerant with improved drainage
• Planting Density: Mass planting: 4–6 plants per m²; edges/drifts: 2–3 plants per linear metre
• Pet Friendly: Generally non-toxic; any plant ingestion may cause mild tummy upset

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (best flowering with sun)
• Soil: Well-drained loam or sandy loam; tolerates improved clay/raised beds; avoid waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Mulch in spring; remove spent flower stems, comb or cut back tired foliage late winter; divide clumps every 3–5 years; light feed in early spring
• Lifespan: 15-25 years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
  
• Soil pH: Acid, Neutral, Alkaline — adaptable

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Mass plant along paths, driveways and verges for a cohesive, low-maintenance finish
• Fill narrow beds and swales for year-round structure and seasonal colour
• Feature in large pots; pairs well with gravel, lomandra and native shrubs

Why You Will Love It

Fast, reliable and water-wise. Dietes delivers months of cheerful, lemon blooms, tidy evergreen form, and excellent drought/heat resilience — a high-value, low-effort performer for SA landscapes.