24+ seeds of the Fortnight Lily, known in the state of Florida as African Iris or Morea Iris (Dietes iridioides)
These are evergreen perennials with spreading fans of stiff, leathery sword shaped leaves up to 2 ft in length but only 3/4 wide. The upright clumps of leaves are held in a vertical fanlike plane and they spread on creeping rhizomes. The 2-4 ft flowering stalks, which are perennial, are branched and stiffly wiry, bearing a succession of lovely irislike flowers throughout spring and summer. Like many long lived perennials, these do not bloom the first year from seed.
Beginning in the 2nd or 3rd year, a profusion of spectacular iris-like flowers are produced throughout spring and summer. The 3-inch flowers are milky white with yellow markings, and have blue to purple centers. Blooms rise above the foliage on thin 2-4 foot flower stalks, individual flowers last only one day.
The fortnight lilies are often grown in borders because the narrow leaves are evergreen, and provide a strong vertical element. They're good along foundations, too. Fortnight lilies seem to perform best in the light dappled shade of tall, open trees., but can grow in full or nearly full sun.
Once established, fortnight lilies tolerate poor, dry soils, but do best in a well drained soil with regular watering during the growing season. Reduce water and fertilizer after flowering. Hardy in zones 8 - 10. Fortnight lilies may be killed by severe winters in upper zone 8. Keep dry in winter and protect with mulch. Can be container grown in colder zones.
