Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Freckle Face Blackberry Lily: Speckled Stars for Late Summer
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Freckle Face blackberry lily is a plant with two acts. In late summer it opens brilliant orange, star-shaped flowers about 2 inches across, every petal speckled and shaded with red. In fall, tan pods split open to show clusters of shiny black seeds that look remarkably like blackberries. They are not, so please do not put them in a pie.
Freckle Face at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Iris domestica 'Freckle Face' (formerly Belamcanda chinensis) |
| Flowers | Brilliant orange with red speckles, about 2 inches across |
| Foliage | Medium green, sword-shaped fans like a bearded iris |
| Size | 18 to 24 inches tall, 8 to 12 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late July, peaks mid-August |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 10 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Best uses | Borders, cottage and rock gardens, containers, dried arrangements |
Why it pairs with lavender
Timing is the big reason. English lavender finishes its main show by late July, and that is exactly when Freckle Face gets going. Each flower lasts only about a day, but branching, wiry stems keep opening new buds for weeks, so the bed stays lively through August. Its upright iris-like fans also add a vertical, sword-shaped texture that looks sharp next to lavender's soft gray mounds. Both want the same things: full sun, average soil and good drainage.
Because it is narrow, only about a foot wide, it slips easily between lavender plants without crowding their airflow. Sketch spacing in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting a bare root rhizome
- Site: full sun with well-drained soil. Wet, heavy soil rots the rhizomes, especially in winter.
- Planting: set the rhizome shallowly, roots spread, and water it in well.
- Water: keep it lightly moist while it settles, then it handles dry spells.
- Fall and winter: leave the seed stalks standing for winter interest and cut the foliage back in spring.
Foliage has stayed clean through Michigan field conditions. The pests to keep an eye on are iris borer in the rhizomes and the occasional mites, aphids or thrips.
The seed clusters
The black seed heads are the reason many people grow this plant. Cut stems once the pods have split and the seeds are glossy, and they hold their look in dried arrangements. Tuck a few into a bundle of dried lavender for a fall wreath or vase. Individual plants can be short-lived, but if you leave some pods on the plant it self-sows lightly and keeps itself going.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a lily or an iris?
An iris. The common name comes from the flower shape and the berry-like seeds, but botanically it belongs to the iris family.
Are the black seeds edible?
No. Freckle Face is grown as an ornamental and is not grown for eating.
How is it sold?
As a bare root plant, ready to go straight into the garden. See the product page for current availability.
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