Blackberry Lily
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Blackberry Lily |
| Botanical Name | Belemcanda chinensis |
| Mature Size | 24 - 30” tall, 16 - 24” wide |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
| Soil Type | Well-drained |
| Soil pH | Acidic, neutral, alkaline |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Color | Orange, yellow, red |
| Care | As members of the Iris family, blackberry lilies prefer the same growing conditions: lots of sun, modest but regular moisture, and soil that drains easily. Blackberry lilies are not long-lived perennials, but they are easy to grow, and you can propagate them at home to keep the flowerbed populated with these unique orange and red speckled blooms. If planting bare rhizomes, space them about 3 to 4 inches apart (6 to 9 per square foot) and 5 inches deep. Water well until they are established, but after that, these plants will do better without excessive watering. The flower stalks can get quite long, and may require staking to prevent them from blowing over in exposed locations. Provided the plant is grown in its recognized hardiness range, no winter cold protection is needed. |
| Soil | Having the perfect soil isn't important for growing blackberry lilies, but having good drainage is. Soggy soils, especially in winter, can cause the rhizomes of blackberry lilies to rot. These plants are not fussy about soil pH; they will do well in both slightly alkaline, neutral, and slightly acidic soil conditions (pH 6.1 to 7.8). Poor soils tend to make the plants shorter; in rich soils, they will be taller. |
| Water | While blackberry lilies respond to regular watering by producing larger, healthier blooms, they are also drought tolerant. Dry winter soils are ideal. Err on the side of less water, not more. If your garden is getting rain every week or two, extra irrigation is rarely necessary. During drought periods, 1/2 inch per week is entirely adequate. Water should be cut back during the dormant winter months to discourage root rot. |
| Temperature and Humidity | Blackberry lily is generally considered hardy in USDA zones 5 to 10, though zone 4 gardeners often grow it successfully, as well. Hot weather and high humidity are not issues for cultivating the blackberry lily. The plants are not susceptible to mildews or fungi, provided no standing water is present. |
| Fertilizer | Supplemental fertilizer is not necessary to grow blackberry lilies. The plants are not heavy feeders, and can get the nutrients they need from the soil. In poor soils, a single spring feeding with a balanced organic fertilizer—or a synthetic fertilizer formulated for blooming plants—is sufficient. |
| Pruning | Although blackberry lily does not require "pruning" in the formal sense, removing the seed capsules as they form will prevent them from ripening and casting seeds into the garden, where you will need to pluck out the volunteers. Cutting back the flower stems after they fade may help prolong the bloom period with new blossoms. At the end of the growing season, remove the yellowing foliage to tidy up the garden and eliminate fungal spores and nesting areas for pests. |
| Overwintering | Most gardeners will not find it necessary to give these plants any winter protection against cold, though if you are trying to cheat the standard zone recommendation by growing blackberry lily in zone 4, then a winter layer of mulch may be a good idea. The black seed berries on this plant can be attractive in winter, so many gardeners allow the flower stalks to remain as snows arrive. This will, however, encourage self-seeding in the garden, so if this is not to your liking, then it's best to clip off the flower stalks before they can go to seed. |
| Source | https://www.thespruce.com/blackberry-lily-plant-profile-4768397 |