How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Blackberry Lilies

With their leopard-printed flowers and berry-like seed heads, blackberry lilies are enchanting perennials for zones 5-10. In spite of their nickname, these plants are actually orange irises. They are very low-maintenance and suitable for many garden styles and soil types. It only takes a few steps to ensure that your plant is growing in the right space, and you can enjoy spotted iris flowers all summer long!

Let’s dig in to everything you need to know to successfully plant, grow, and care for blackberry lilies!

What are Blackberry Lilies?

Blackberry lilies are upright herbaceous perennials belonging to the iris family. These rhizomatous plants have underground stems that help the plants spread. They begin blooming in mid-summer. Each spotted flower only lasts for about one day, but new flowers continuously emerge for a few weeks. 

This perennial gets its name from the shiny black berries that appear when the flowers age. These berries emerge from pear-shaped seed pods after the pods have dried. The berries are arranged in clusters that resemble the blackberry fruit, but they are not edible.

Characteristics

Blackberry lilies are sometimes nicknamed leopard lilies because the flowers are bright orange with spotted red freckles. There is also a yellow variety. Each flower is made up of six petals and blooms on a stem in a spray of flowers. The foliage is sword-shaped and a medium shade of green. 

Native Area

Blackberry lilies are native to India, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Russia. They grow well in gardens throughout USDA zones 5-10.

Planting

This spotted iris species is simple to plant and does not require any special expertise. You can start with bare root stock or seeds. Plant each clump about four inches apart. 

Transplanting

Transplanting from a nursery pot to your garden is very simple!

1. Water your plant while it is still in the nursery pot.
2. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and deep as the root ball.
3. Situate the plant in the hole with its best face forward. 
4. Backfill the hole around the plant and press the soil in place.
5. Ensure there are no air pockets around the roots, which could cause settling or shifting.
6. Water the plant thoroughly and check back regularly as it establishes.

Growing from Seed

Growing from seed is a simple task! You can collect seeds right off your plant or you can purchase blackberry lily seeds from an online retailer or at your local garden center. 

1. Collect seeds from plants when the seed heads are dry but before they split open.
2. If you can hear the seeds rattling around in the seed pod, it is peak harvest time. 
3. These seeds require cold stratification. Place them in the refrigerator for 4-8 weeks. 
4. In late winter, sow your seeds into a tray or pots filled with seed starting mix.
5. Cover with about ¼” of soil mix. 
6. Place your containers in a sunny location.
7. Keep consistently moist and water when the soil has dried out.
8. When the weather warms, harden your seedlings off outdoors.
9. Keep your seedlings in their original containers until they have strong root systems. 
10. Transplant into your garden when you think your plants are strong enough. 

How to Grow

If you want to enjoy the elegant sword-shaped foliage and striking spotted flowers, this perennial needs full sun, well-drained soil, and occasional deadheading.

Light

For the healthiest blackberry lilies possible, plant them in full sun. The bare minimum is four hours, but six hours or more is best. These leopard-printed irises are healthiest and prettiest with lots of sunlight.

Water

Blackberry lilies are drought-tolerant perennials. For better blooms, water regularly. Depending on your weather conditions, rainfall may do the trick. If you are going through a dry spell, consider supplemental irrigation to keep those blooms looking beautiful!

Soil

Blackberry lilies are not picky about soil type or pH. The most important thing is that your soil is well-draining. You can improve drainage by adding compost, perlite, or horticultural sand. 

If your soil holds too much water, these plants can suffer from root rot. This irreversible disease decays the root systems and can lead to plant death. You can save part of your plant by digging up the clumps of roots and cutting away any rotting portions. Replant the healthy clump in fresh, amended soil.

Temperature and Humidity

Blackberry lilies grow happily in USDA zones 5-10. This perennial grows well in dry climates as well as humid regions. Keep yours in an area above 23°F (-5°C) and it will do just fine.

Fertilizing

In general, these irises get plenty of nutrients from the soil they are growing in. They do not require any additional fertilizer. However, if your soil is poor, you may add supplemental fertilizer in the springtime. Use a well-balanced fertilizer or compost to boost the nutrition of your soil.

Maintenance

Blackberry lilies are very low maintenance. Deadheading spent flowers will prevent the seeds from spreading while keeping the plant neat. Once the stems of your flowers begin to fade, trim those back as well. This can help to encourage more blossoms throughout the season.

When fall rolls around, cut the plants back to the ground. Remove any yellowing foliage and any remaining flower stems.

Taller flower stems may need staking so they don’t flop over. However, if you interplanted with other taller plants, there may be enough support. 

Propagation

The best and easiest way to propagate these irises is by division. Divide in summer or fall when the plants have stopped blooming. Let’s take a closer look at how to get this done.

Division

First, gather your tools! You will need a garden shovel and a garden knife.

1. Gently dig up the clump of iris you want to divide.
2. Using a garden knife, separate portions of the plant with some foliage attached.
3. While you have the clump out of the ground, check for any rotted pieces and remove them.
4. Replant the original clump and transplant the newly divided clump elsewhere.

Popular Varieties

There are not many blackberry lily varieties on the market, but this one is common and easy to find!

‘Freckle Face’

	botanical name Iris domestica ‘Freckle Face’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 5-10

‘Freckle Face’ produces sprays of bright orange flowers adorned with deep red spots. These flowers begin blooming in mid-to-late summer and continue producing new blossoms for a few weeks. The sword-shaped foliage is medium green. 

Common Problems

Blackberry lilies are fairly problem-free, but there are a few potential issues you should be aware of. 

Pests

The most common and unique pest you will run into is the iris borer. These bugs can be quite difficult to deal with. This is primarily because you may not notice any symptoms before it is too late! 

If your plants appear wilted or discolored and you feel confident in your watering regimen, you may have an iris borer. Look around the base of the plant for an entry hole. If you find this hole, dig up your clump and begin looking through your roots. Remove any roots that are affected. Closely examine all of the roots. You may be able to salvage anything that has not been damaged. 

Slugs and snails tend to enjoy the leaves of iris plants. You can remove them by hand as they do their feeding at night, or you can bait them with slug bait. A beer trap will also deter them.

Diseases

Blackberry lilies suffer from root rot if the soil is too wet. These perennials grow best in well-draining areas, but they are not picky about the type of soil.

Unfortunately, there is no “cure” for root rot. The best action you can take is to dig up the plant and take a look at the roots. Using a clean garden knife, cut away all pieces of the plant with black or squishy rhizomes. Replant with fresh soil that is rich in organic matter, such as compost. 

Frequently Asked Questions