Dietes – Identification

Q: While visiting San Francisco and Napa Valley recently, we saw these flowers blooming in several areas.  Haven’t seen them in Georgia, but was wondering if you could tell me what they are.

A: This Iris family member is Dietes bicolor, sometimes called African iris or fortnight lily. They can survive winter outdoors in areas south of Macon but in north Georgia the roots must be dug in October.

Remove leaves from the roots and store indoors in a box of perlite or crumpled newspapers.

Dietes like to grow in full sun from morning until early afternoon but prefers shade after 2:00 p.m.

Keep soil moderately moist and fertilize in April and June.

African iris Dietes bicolor