Dietes Butcheriana – 10 Seeds

Forest Iris (Dietes butcheriana) is an indigenous, shade-loving, evergreen Iris with broad leaves arranged in a fan, and large, white flowers with apricot markings. It is a clump-forming perennial, growing 0.5–1.2 m tall and the flowers are large, up to 60 mm in diameter. This species can be distinguished from other species of Dietes by its broad leaves and large seed capsules. It grows wild in the forests of eastern South Africa.

Common names: forest wild iris, forest iris, broad-leaved dietes (Eng.); bosiris (Afr.); isiyunga, iconya (isiXhosa)

Growing Dietes Butcheriana

Indoor Sowing: Autumn.

Direct Sowing: Autumn.

• It is easy to grow, requiring well-drained soils and sunny or semi-shade conditions.
• Sow the seed in Autumn and germination will then take place in Spring.
• Scarify the seed and then soak seed overnight in water.
• Sow on the surface and cover lightly. Do not bury too deeply as seed requires a degree of light to germinate.
• Water with fine mist spray to avoid disturbance of the seed.
• Place in a warm shaded or semi shaded position to avoid dying out.
• Keep warm & moist, but not wet.
• Optimum germination temperature is 20°C
• During the spring, a good fertilizer will go a long way in aiding the growth and success of these plants.
• Clumps can be divided manually for easy propagation too. They should be divided before flowering, in the early spring.
• Plants grown from Seeds  will take a few years to flower for the first time.
• The plants are both frost and drought hardy and will grow in either sun or shade. However, for best results and most flowers, plant in full sun or light shade in well composted, well drained soil.
• Water the plant well in summer.