Jenny's Garden...Plant pictures and gardening descriptions

Belamcanda chinensis
(Blackberry Lily)

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Image of  young Belamcanda chinensis or Blackberry Lily Leopard Lily seedpods 

 

Belamcanda chinensis
(Blackberry Lily, Leopard Lily)


Synonyms:  Ixia Chinensis, Germmingia  chinensis
Origin:  Native to China and Japan
Family:  Iridaceae
Light:  Bright sunny / Dappled shade
Height:  2-3' 
Spread:  15-15"
Blooms:  Exotic looking, reddish-orange with red spots, lasts only a day, repeated blooms, mid-Summer
Foliage:  Herbaceous, pale green, iris-like
Seeds:  Tiny blackberry-like seeds enclosed in a thin brown capsule  The dried seeds on stalks makes interesting dried flower arrangements

Soil:  Well-drained, rich, sandy, loamy, moist
.
Uses:  Sunny border, woodland setting, mass planting
Propagation:  Seeds, rootball divisions
Insect / Disease:  Watch for slugs
Caution:  Plant is slightly toxic
Comments:  Belamcanda chinensis or Blackberry Lily or Leopard Lily or Ixia chinesis or Gemmingia chinensis is a perenial herb plant grown for its medicinal properties and is used in traditional Chinese medicine.  It is a hardy plant and can tolerate temperatures as low as -15 degrees F.  Mulch Blackberry Lily plants to protect from frost. In colder areas, lift bulbs and store in cool dry place.  After the plants died back, I left mine in the ground and they return the following season.  Blackberry Lily is easy to grow and does not demand much attention. They are easily propagated from seeds or rootballdivisions.  Gemmingia chinensis are easy to grow plants for the woodland setting landscape.  Grow Ixia chinesis en masses as  filtered shade border plants for their charmng and exotic blooms. 
USDA Hardiness Zones :  4-10