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: Spring and Autumn.

Direct Sowing: Spring and Autumn.

• It is easy to grow, requiring well-watered and drained soils and sunny or semi-shade conditions.
• Sow the seed in Spring and Autumn.
• 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.