Re: Belamcanda chinensis

---

I had trouble keeping this alive in Nebraska but it grew wild where I lived in MO.  I wondered why it was on the Iris site.  I did a google search and discovered it is from that family.

Belamcanda chinensis or Blackberry Lily derives its name from the clusters of shiny black seeds exposed when seed capsules split open. Even though it is called a lily it is actually in the Iris family. Fan-shaped leaves will reach 2 to 3 feet. They are hardy from zones 5 -10 in the U.S. Blackberry Lilies are native to China and Japan.

 

There was some discussion on one of the iris lists recently about
Belamcanda chinensis. Here it is blooming in my garden in 2007. Seed
grown, it has proved hardy for 5 years through winters of up to -45C.
It did grow and increase this year, but no bloom. Too cold and wet a
season for it, I guess.

BJ in SW MB, Canadian Prairies, Zone 2b/3ish