In a Nutshell:
* Iris domestica ( Blackberry lily , Leopard flower , Leopard lily , syn. Belamcanda chinensis , Belamcanda punctata Moench , Gemmingia chinensis ( L. ) Kuntze , Iris chinensis Curtis , Ixia chinensis L. , Morea chinensis , Pardanthus chinensis ( L. ) Ker Gawl. ) is an ornamental plant in the Iridaceae family. In 2005, based on molecular DNA sequence evidence, Belamcanda chinensis , the sole species in the genus Belamcanda , was transferred to the genus Iris and renamed Iris domestica . more...
* Spotting on the flowers gives rise to the additional common name of leopard lily.
* Flowers give way to pear-shaped seed pods which split open when ripe (late summer), with each pod revealing a blackberry-like seed cluster, hence the common name of blackberry lily.
* Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Likes moist soils, but poorly-drained ones, particularly in winter, can be fatal. Clumps slowly expand by creeping rhizomes. May self-seed in optimum growing conditions which helps keep these somewhat short-lived perennials in the garden. more...
* The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Pre-chill stored seed for 7 days and sow spring in a cold frame. The seed germinates in 2 - 8 weeks at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. more...