Libertia peregrinans Gold Leaf

Libertia peregrinans 'Gold Leaf' is a variety of New Zealand Iris selected for its olive green foliage that turns amber-yellow in autumn and then orange in winter. This grasslike perennial plant slowly spreads through its rhizomes. It is also interesting for its delicate white summer flowering, carried by slender stems hidden in the foliage. This plant is ideally planted in non-limestone, moist, but well-drained soil, in a sunny location. Adapted to mild winters, it grows very well in pots, where it is very effective.

Libertia peregrinans is a botanical species native to New Zealand belonging to the Iridaceae family. This perennial plant develops laterally through long branching rhizomes forming scattered clumps and eventually large mats. Its growth is moderately fast and its crown dies below -8°C.
Libertia 'Gold Leaf' is a horticultural selection that is slightly shorter but more colourful. The plant forms a dense, stiff clump, weakly spreading in all directions. The plant develops foliage composed of stiff, linear, olive-green leaves with a very pronounced midrib. They take on an amber-yellow colour in autumn, more orange in winter. In late spring and early summer (June-July), short, 30-35 cm tall, thin, bronze yellowish green floral stems appear between the leaves, carrying panicles of 3 to 6 flowers. Each flower measures 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter and consists of three white petals sheathed in a bract. The centre of the corolla is filled with yellow stamens with orange-brown anthers.

Libertia peregrinans 'Gold Leaf' is at home in mild oceanic climates. Truly attractive in many ways, it is beautiful in water gardens with a wild or even Asian-inspired design. You can associate it with Sisyrinchiums, Crocosmia crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie', or low-growing agapanthus, for example. This perennial will also be appreciated in containers, on the terrace or balcony.