'Freckle Face' Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda)
Perennial
- Flowers bloom in late summer with orange petals and prominent red freckles!
- Clusters of seeds extend interest into winter.
- Iris-like foliage looks appealing from spring to fall.
- Deer resistant, drought tolerant, and easy to grow.
- Zones 4-10, sun, 24" tall and 12" wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Blackberry lily ( Belamcanda) may only bloom for a few weeks in late summer, but it extends its interest well into fall and winter with seed pods. Black clusters of seed burst from tan seed pods, resembling blackberries, which is why it is lovingly referred to as blackberry lily. It's an easy-to-grow perennial that is adaptable to nearly any condition. It will still bloom in dry and poor soils but with fewer flowers on shorter stems (only 24" tall). In moist and fertile soils, stems may be twice as long (reaching 48" tall) and require staking. Either way, gardeners can enjoy this plant's sunny disposition in nearly any sunny spot.
Details
Common name: Blackberry lily, leopard flower
Zone: 4 - 10
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Height x width: 18-24" tall x 8-12" wide
Flower color: Orange
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Summer and fall
Bloom time: Late summer
Features: Deer resistant, drought tolerant, heat tolerant, dry soils, rare & unusual, best for beginners, winter interest
Uses: Accent, border plant, cut flower garden, cottage gardening, massing, specimen, pollinator garden
How to Grow
Light: Does well in full sun (6+ hours direct sun).
Water: Average water needs - water regularly until established. Moderately drought tolerant once established.
Spacing: 12 inches
Fertilizing: Belamcanda grows in average to fertile soils, so fertilize with a well-balanced granular fertilizer in early spring.
Winterizing: Leave standing through winter for added interest. They do not grow well if the soil is wet in winter. A heavy layer of mulch is recommended for northern gardeners.
Maintenance & pruning: Not much is required. Plants grown in fertile and moist soils will have extra-long flower stems that may require staking. Sheer back any spent foliage in early spring. Divide in early spring every few years.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
