Libertia peregrinans

Libertia peregrinans, sometimes called Chilean Iris, is a beautiful perennial plant resembling a grass, which stands out with foliage painted in a striking bronze to orange colour, like many plants native to these regions. This lovely shade is especially accentuated in autumn and winter. It is also interesting for its delicate white summer flowers, carried by slender stems hidden in the foliage. Easy to grow, it is hardy down to -8°C (17.6°F). This plant will ideally be planted in a damp but well-drained soil, in a sunny position. This species grows very well in pots, where it has a great effect.

Libertia peregrinans is a botanical species native to New Zealand belonging to the Iridaceae family. This perennial plant develops laterally through long branching rhizomes giving rise to sparse tufts, which allows it to eventually form large mats, 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) high. Its growth is moderately fast.
Libertia forms a dense, stiff tuft, weakly spreading in all directions. The plant develops evergreen foliage, composed of stiff, linear leaves, 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24in) long and 0.3 to 1.5 cm (0 to 1in) wide, which are an green-olive colour, with a very pronounced bright orange midrib. They turn yellow-orange to bronze in the sun as well as in autumn and winter. In late spring and early summer (June-July), short stems of 30 cm (12in) in height, which are thin, and greenish-bronze, appear between the foliage, carrying paniculate inflorescences of 3 to 6 flowers 1.5 to 2 cm (1in) in diameter, with three white petals sheathed in a bract. The centre of the corolla is filled with yellow stamens with orange-brown anthers.

Libertia peregrinans is a drought-resistant species, but much more comfortable in mild oceanic climates. It requires a sunny position to flower and turn orange, but is not afraid of salt winds. A truly attractive plant in many ways, both opulent and vertical, it is magnificent in water gardens, with a wild or even Asian inspired garden with clean shapes, and equally highlights the layout of a path as well as the banks of a pond, punctuating a bed or a rockery with its colourful foliage. It pairs well with Sisyrinchium, Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie', Liatris, agapanthus, or Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'. This perennial plant will also be highly appreciated in containers, on the patio or balcony.