Dietes bicolor (Butterfly flag)

Botanical name

Dietes bicolor

Other names

Butterfly flag, Yellow wild iris, Peacock flower, Uintjie, Poublom, Dietes compacta, Fortnight lily

Genus

Dietes Dietes

Species

D. bicolor - D. bicolor is a tender, clump-forming, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial with erect to arching, narrowly sword-shaped, pale green leaves and flat, brown-marked, cream to pale yellow, iris-like flowers from spring into summer.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming, Arching, Erect flower stem

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Colour

Flower

Cream, Pale-yellow in Spring; Cream, Pale-yellow in Summer

Foliage

Light green, Pale-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest free.

Specific pests

Slugs , Snails

Diseases

Generally disease free, but a virus disease may be a problem.

General care

Pruning

Spent flower stems can be cut in autumn or leave seedheads intact for winter interest.

Propagation

Divide after flowering. Divisions may be slow to establish. Sow seed in autumn or spring at 15C

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Dietes bicolor (Butterfly flag) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Sub-Tropical, Mediterranean, Greenhouse, Flower Arranging, Containers, Beds and borders

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light & good ventilation. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Reduce watering after flowering. In frost-free areas, grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Tolerates poor, dry soil.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Dietes bicolor (Butterfly flag)

Common pest name

common blossom thrips; cotton bud thrips; tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Frankliniella schultzei

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous glasshouse pest; present in many countries; single finding in UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/