Belamcanda chinensis Hello Yellow

Belamcanda chinensis 'Hello Yellow' is a lovely variety of Tiger Lily with pure yellow flowers, without tiger or speckled patterns, unlike the typical species often nicknamed 'Leopard Flower' due to its spotted and dotted flowers. It is an elegant rhizomatous perennial plant related to our garden Iris, but of Asian origin. It forms a clump of narrow, upright fan-shaped leaves from which branched flower stems emerge in summer, as elegant as they are bright. Easy to grow in full sun in any well-drained soil, even poor soil, this plant deserves a place in natural areas of the garden where it will self-seed.

The Tiger Lily belongs to the family Iridaceae. As the only species in the Belamcanda genus, this plant has recently been moved, following DNA analysis, into the Iris genus. It is currently known as Iris domestica. It is native to high altitude areas of Southeast Asia, India, and Japan. The plant has an upright clumping habit that quickly reaches a height of 60cm (24in) when flowering, 40cm (16in) for the foliage, and a spread of 30cm (12in). The flowering occurs from June to August, depending on the climate. The flower stems are terminated by 3 to 12 umbels of star-shaped yellow flowers, with corollas composed of 6 petals, 5cm (2in) in diameter; they are followed by shiny black fruits, very decorative, exposed on open capsules. The fruits, if allowed to mature, will enable the plant to self-seed and replace plants that have been cut down by a harsh winter. This Tiger Lily produces large basal leaves in spring, similar to Iris leaves, glaucous green in colour, with fine texture and prominent veins. It propagates through rhizomes.

Belamcanda chinensis 'Hello Yellow' is no more difficult to grow than German Iris, but it requires well-drained soil. In heavy, moisture-laden soil during winter, it disappears. It is a frugal plant that can be planted in light, even poor, well-drained, and moist to dry soil. In nature, it is found in slightly sandy areas. Use it in rock gardens, borders, on slopes, anywhere Irises thrive, as they take over. The sunny colour of its corollas will beautifully complement the blue flowers of perennial flax, wild chicory, small scabious, and the delicate beauty of Damask Nigella in a very natural scene. Offer them a backdrop of grey cushions, such as those of Artemisia stelleriana 'Boughton Silver' or Artemisia alba 'Canescens'. The pods open widely to reveal shiny black seeds often used in dried bouquets.

Iris domestica is used in traditional Chinese medicine, as its rhizome contains several medically active molecules.