Belamcanda chinensis

Belamcanda chinensis, also known as Tiger Lily or Leopard Flower, is a rhizomatous perennial, related to irises. It forms a clump of narrow, upright leaves that fan out, from which emerge reddish-orange flowers with brown spots in the summer. No more difficult to grow than garden irises, this plant deserves a place in natural areas of the garden where it will self-seed.

The Tiger Lily belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is native to Southeast Asia, India, and Japan. It has an upright clumping habit that reaches 60cm (24in) in height when in bloom, 40cm (16in) for the foliage, and a spread of 30cm (12in). Flowering occurs from June to August, depending on the climate. The flower stalks are topped with 3 to 12 umbels of reddish-orange flowers, ranging from orange to ochre, marked and speckled with dark purple-brown, with corollas consisting of 6 spreading petals, 5cm (2in) in diameter; they are followed by shiny black fruits, highly decorative, exposed on open capsules. This plant produces large basal leaves in spring, similar to irises, glaucous green in colour, veined, and of fine texture. It spreads through rhizomes.

Belamcanda chinensis is no more difficult to grow than German irises, but it requires well-drained soil. Heavy, moisture-soaked soil during winter can be fatal. It is an undemanding plant that can be planted in light, even poor, well-drained, and moist to dry soil. In nature, it is found in somewhat sandy areas. It is best planted in spring or autumn in mild climates, at a depth of 5cm (2in) and with 15-25cm (6-10in) spacing, in full sun or partial shade. The rootstock can be protected from late autumn in regions with fairly mild winters (-10 to -15°C (14 to 5°F)). Remove faded flowers from a few plants to prevent plant exhaustion. The fruits that are allowed to mature will enable the plant to self-seed and replace plants that were killed by a harsh winter.

Use the Tiger Lily in rock gardens, borders, on slopes, and wherever irises thrive. The subtle colour of its corollas will blend beautifully with the blue flowers of perennial flax, wild chicory, pink sainfoin, small scabious, and the lightness of Nigella damascena in a very natural scene. Provide them with a backdrop of grey cushions like those of Artemisia stelleriana 'Boughton Silver' or Artemisia alba canescens. The pods, which open widely to reveal shiny black seeds, are often used in dried flower arrangements.

Belamcanda chinensis is used in traditional Chinese medicine, as its rhizome contains several medically active constituents.