Blackberry Lily Plant Care: How to Grow Blackberry Lilies

Blackberry lilies are flowering, short-lived perennial plants, meaning they last in gardens for three to ten years when cared for properly. Formerly known by the botanical name Belamcanda chinensis and now known as Iris domestica, these plants are good for home gardening in USDA hardiness zones five through ten. The blackberry lily is a member of the iris family (Iridaceae) of plants and makes a good companion plant for irises.

Also known by the common names leopard lily and leopard flower, the blackberry lily plant displays green leaves and bright orange flowers with red spots that bloom in late summer. Their sword-shaped orange flowers have three stamens each that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. One popular blackberry lily cultivar known as ‘Freckle Face’ is a fast-blooming variety that may produce up to a dozen flowers per plant. ‘Hello Yellow’, a popular dwarf cultivar has yellow flowers instead of the traditional orange flower color.

Try these growing tips to care for your blackberry lilies.

1. 1. Grow blackberry lilies from seed. For the best results, store your blackberry lily seeds in the refrigerator until you’re ready to plant them. In late winter, sow the seeds indoors in a seed tray filled with potting mix. Keep the soil moist and the tray in a sunny window and germination should occur within a few weeks. As soon as the threat of frost has passed, you can plant them outdoors.
2. 2. Plant blackberry lilies in full sun. Blackberry lilies should ideally receive six hours of full sun per day. A mix of partial sun and shade may result in a shorter bloom time.
3. 3. Space your lilies appropriately. Spacing your lilies properly is important to prevent overgrowth and overlapping plants. Plant your blackberry lily seedlings between six and ten inches apart.
4. 4. Plant blackberry lilies in well-draining soil. Blackberry lilies are fairly tolerant of different soil types, so long as the soil is well-draining. These plants can also thrive if the soil pH is slightly alkaline or acidic.
5. 5. Avoid overwatering blackberry lilies. Blackberry lilies are drought-tolerant and do not grow well in overly moist soil. In winter, wet soil can cause the rhizomes of leopard lilies to rot.
6. 6. Practice pest control. Iris borers can be lethal to blackberry lilies and cause wilting and discoloration. Cut away any plants that iris borers have damaged to prevent the pests from spreading further.
7. 7. Take precautions to prevent invasiveness. Blackberry lilies can be invasive, especially in the eastern region of North America where they self-seed rapidly. Consider planting these flowers in containers or raised flower beds to help control their spread.

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