Blackberry lily is a striking perennial that earns its name from the dramatic seed pods that follow its showy summer blooms. Growing 24 to 36 inches tall in zones 5 through 10, this heirloom member of the iris family produces deep orange, red-spotted flowers in July and August, followed by glossy black seeds that resemble blackberries. The plant thrives in full sun with moderate water and minimal maintenance, making it a low-fuss addition to gardens where you want visual drama without constant attention.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-10
36in H x 24in W
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Moderate
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Those deep orange flowers heavily freckled with red dots appear in early to mid-summer, rising on wiry stems above sword-shaped iris-like foliage. But the real show comes in late summer and fall when the flowers fade and reveal the fruit: glossy black seeds clustered so densely they genuinely look like blackberries. Deer leave it alone, it tolerates drought once established, and it attracts pollinators throughout its bloom season. This rhizomatous perennial even self-seeds under ideal conditions, quietly replenishing itself year after year.
Blackberry lily is grown as an ornamental flower and for its dramatic seed pods, which appear in late summer and persist well into fall. The showy fruit makes it particularly valuable in dried arrangements and late-season garden displays when many other perennials have faded.
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Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your average last frost date. Sow in pots at a soil temperature of 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover with a humidity dome to retain moisture during germination, keeping the soil lightly moist but not saturated. Water from below once germination occurs. A pre-chill at 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 to 2 months may improve germination rates. Seeds typically sprout in 20 to 50 days.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date. Harden off plants gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting in the garden. Space plants 8 inches apart in well-drained soil.
Direct sow in early spring 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, or in fall for spring germination. Germination rates outdoors may vary depending on weather conditions.
Remove spent foliage in late fall or very early spring to maintain plant health and reduce iris borer pressure. Beyond this cleanup, the plant requires minimal pruning.
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