Dietes bicolor

Dietes bicolor

This is a rhizomatous perennial belonging to the Iridaceae family of plants (ht 90 cm), a pale yellow-flowered cousin of the ubiquitous white-flowered species (Dietes iridiodes and Dietes grandiflora, ht 90 cm) that are seen in many public plantings because of their toughness and will to survive in poor, dry soils. All three species have tall, slim leaves in evergreen clumps and will grow in full sun or part shade. The pale yellow version is useful in plantings with soft blue bearded Iris and Agapanthus; I also like to match it to plants with a light yellow variegation on their foliage. Unlike the white-flowered ones, it doesn't grow so quickly into huge clumps, nor does it self-seed so annoyingly. There is a cute miniature form of this plant, called 'Mini Ballerina'.