Overview of Blackberry Lily
Blackberry lily, also referred to as leopard lily and leopard flower, is a short-lived perennial native to eastern Russia, China and Japan. The dried rhizome has long been used medicinally in Eastern Asia for a variety of ailments.
This plant is not a true lily, but is a member of the iris family (Iridaceae) with the name Iris domestica (formerly Belamcanda chinensis, which is still commonly used.) It survives and flowers reliably in zone 5a.
Blackberry lily has flat, sword-like leaves arranged in a fan on a small tuberous rhizome. The foliage grows to 18 inches tall, and the plants produce many offsets. The flowers, however, are very different in appearance from typical iris flowers. They are borne on 2-3 foot tall slender stems in loose, branched spikes. The tall flower stems sometimes flop or are blown over in strong winds, so they may benefit from staking. The flowers are 2 inches wide with 6 flaring petals of equal size. Flower color in the species ranges from yellow to orange, with darker (often crimson) speckling on the petals. Individual blooms are short-lived, generally lasting only a day, but the plants produce a succession of flowers over a period of several weeks in summer.
The flowers are followed by pear-shaped seed capsules that fade from green to tan. These eventually open to reveal the round, shiny black seeds arranged in clusters resembling large blackberries that give rise to the common name. The seeds remain on the stalks for several months. When left standing, the seed heads offer good winter interest, especially when viewed against a backdrop of snow. The seed heads make a unique addition to dried flower arrangements.
Grow blackberry lily in full sun or light shade. It prefers well-drained, moderately fertile, loamy soil, but does just fine in sandy or clay soils. Plants are shorter when grown in infertile, dry soil, and taller if the soil is rich and moist. Deadhead to prolong blooming (and prevent self-seeding). Even in colder climates it does not need winter protection.
The flowers and the seed heads are interesting, but not particularly showy so this species is best planted in a location where they can be appreciated up close. Before the plants begin flowering they are not especially eye-catching, so you may wish to mix it with other plants that can attract attention until the blackberry lily begins flowering. It is suitable for perennial borders, in containers, and for naturalizing in an informal area.
Propagating Blackberry Lily
This perennial plant is easily grown from seed, and will flower the first season if started early enough. Sow the seed ¼ inches deep in warm soil directly in the garden after the danger of frost has passed, or indoors in pots 6-8 weeks earlier. Keep the seedbed evenly moist and germination should occur in 1-2 weeks. Seedlings are easily transplanted. This species can also be propagated by division in spring or early autumn.
Blackberry lily will self-sow, but generally not enough to be considered aggressive. Unwanted seedlings are easy to identify and are not difficult to remove, so they can be managed without much difficulty. Remove the flower stalks before the seed pods mature to eliminate reseeding if desired.
Cultivars of Blackberry Lily
The species is commonly available as seed, and sometimes plants are available. There are only a few named selections of blackberry lily:
- ‘Hello Orange’ has a compact habit and large orange flowers with dark speckling and spotting. Plants grow about 16 inches tall
- ‘Hello Yellow’ has a habit comparable to ‘Hello Orange’ and large, solid yellow flowers
– Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Last Update: Allen R. Pyle, UW-Madison Extension, 2026
