Blackberry Lily

Why it works here

It is not a lily. It is an iris, moved into the iris genus in 2005 on DNA, and it grows as a fan of sword shaped leaves like any iris. The flowers are the surprise: orange with red freckles, each one open for a single day, dozens of them over a few weeks of summer. Then the part that gives it the name. The seed pods dry, split open, and show a tight cluster of shiny black seeds that looks exactly like a ripe blackberry. People do a double take every time. It is also clean. UF/IFAS assessed it three times, most recently this year, and says it is not a problem species anywhere in Florida and may be recommended. It has naturalized in a few central Florida counties, which I will not hide, and it self sows a little in the garden, which is easy to manage. Butterflies work the flowers. It is not native and I do not claim otherwise, but it is one of the non natives I use without apology.

Care

Full sun to part shade in well drained soil, and drainage is the non negotiable. Plant it a little high. Water to establish, then only in drought. Cut the spent stalks after the seed show if you do not want volunteers, or leave them for the dried arrangement people. Divide every three or four years, because the clumps get tired. It may go dormant in a cool winter here. That is normal.

Common problems

Crown rot in wet soil, especially in winter. The fix is where you plant it, not what you spray.

Leaf scorch in full sun without enough moisture. Afternoon shade solves it.

Slugs and snails on the young fans. Hand pick.

Self sowing. Not aggressive, but it moves. Deadhead before the pods split if you want it to stay put.

Pets and kids. It is an iris, and irises upset stomachs. The shiny black "berries" are the obvious temptation. They are not food.