Iris Domestica

Blackberry lily is an East Asian iris relative with fans of sword-shaped leaves and branching stems of bright orange flowers heavily spotted with crimson. Each bloom lasts only a day, but fresh buds open repeatedly through summer. The seed capsules then split to reveal glossy black seeds clustered like blackberries, extending the ornamental season well into autumn. Formerly known as Belamcanda chinensis, it is now placed within Iris. Hardy, distinctive and easy from seed, it suits sunny borders and naturalistic planting, where the dramatic seed heads can be left standing.