If you kill one of these plants, you have a black thumb, not a green thumb !! :) Dietes is the Botanical name for the plant called the Fortnight Lily, or African Iris, along with several other common names. They are not related to Iris, this is only a common name used for them ! This plant is tough and very hardy, but will always benefit from extra care, and will look better for it. Most species of this plant are from Africa, so it is suited for temperate and warmer climates, and flowers for most of the year. There are only about 6 species of this plant, but two of them, Dietes bicolor and Dietes iridoides are most common in Sydney.
Dietes bicolor is the larger plant of the two, having long arching sword-like leaves with pale yellow flowers and darker brown spots on the petals. The plant grows into a large clump and is very attractive when mature. Dietes iridoides is more of an upright clumping plant, the shorter sword-like leaves pointing straight up. The flowers are an attractive mix of yellow, white and blue.
Pruning off the dead foliage and flower heads will improve the look of the plants, and give it a sunny spot and well-drained soil for best results. I took these photos in different locations around Sydney.
