Dietes iridioides

butterfly iris, cape iris, dietes or fortnight-lily

Family	Iridaceae
Plant Type	herbaceous perennial
Zone	USDA: 8a - 11 RHS: H - FT EGF: H4 - G2 Australia: 2 - 5
Care Level	medium
Height	0.3 - 1.2 m (1 - 4 ft)
Spread	25 - 90 cm (1 - 3 ft)
Light	full sun to partial shade
Soil Moisture	average to moist, well-drained
Soil Type	loam to sandy
Soil pH	acidic to alkaline

Description	The herbaceous perennial Dietes iridioides (butterfly iris) bears showy, multi-coloured white and repeat-blooming blossoms during late spring to early fall. This plant is clump forming and has glossy, medium textured and evergreen foliage that is dark green in colour.
Typical Uses	Annual, bedding plant, bog, border, container, cut flowers, ground cover, pond and tropical.
Special Characteristics	Dietes iridioides is tolerant of wet sites.
Cautions	With its fast growth rate, Dietes iridioides (butterfly iris) will reach its mature size quickly. Keep this in mind when planning the layout of your garden. Reaching maturity quickly can be a benefit if you want your garden to look more established sooner. This plant is self-sowing, and without intervention may spread broadly and randomly.