Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Blackberry Lily

by Donna L. Watkins

© Donna L. Watkins - The Green Comes First
Many years ago shortly after we moved to Virginia in 2000, we went to an Open House at Tufton Farm which is where things are grown for Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home.  They keep up with these historical plants since Monticello has a small garden center with plants for sale.

That day we received a little 2-inch square pot with a blackberry lily plant in it.  We planted it, it grew bigger every year and has a been a great delight in our garden.  It has so many beautiful forms from the time it comes out of the ground until winter is back again.

I wanted to share the photos of this plant with you since it has become one of my favorites.  It duplicates itself since the berries fall to the ground and the next Spring tiny little two-inch plants are around the larger plant.  So there's plenty to share and everybody that sees it's amazing display of color and profuse number of flowers.

We have deer that visit our yard so we have to use plants that they won't eat.  They don't touch these since they are actually part of the iris family.  Daylilies are a favorite of the deer so we've not been able to grow them here.  This is our alternative option since it's as close as we can get to daylilies.

Hardiness Zone:  4a to 10b
Height:  24-36 inches
Exposure:  Full Sun (but mine is planted in part shade)
Bloom Time:  Mid-summer into Fall
pH Requirements:  6.1 to 7.8
Seeds:  Poisonous

© Donna L. Watkins - The Buds Are Light Yellow
© Donna L. Watkins - Many Blooms Create Quite the Display of Color
© Donna L. Watkins - Closeup of the Bloom

© Donna L. Watkins - After The Bloom Dies, It Twists Itself -
Very Cool Look as The Seed Pods Below The Twists Grow Larger -
Dead-heading Will Definitely Produce More Blooms

© Donna L. Watkins - When the Seed Pod Cracks Open,
This Is What's Inside.  Lots of Berries that Actually Look
Like a Blackberry as a Whole, Which Is Probably How It Got It's Name


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