- Botanical name: Orthrosanthus multiflorus
- Common name: Australian morning star
- Family: Iridaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
Blue
Purple
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
As its common name suggests, the Australian flag iris, Orthrosanthus multiflorus, is a late spring and early summer-flowering native to southern and western Australia where it grows near to the coast.
In the UK, it can be grown outdoors in mild locations in a partially shaded or sunny position in well-drained soil, where it will put on a marvellous display of grass-like foliage topped with cornflower-blue blooms. Orthrosanthus multiflorus can also be grown in pots and containers if you don’t have the right growing conditions.
For best results, grow Orthrosanthus multiflorus in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. Best planted in a soil-based compost, such as John Innes No 2, with leaf mould and sharp sand incorporated. If growing in pots, move the container somewhere dry and frost-free over winter before bring back outside in spring.
How to grow Orthrosanthus multiflorus
-
Plant size
60cm height
30cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front, middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Half hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Orthrosanthus multiflorus and wildlife
Orthrosanthus multiflorus is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Orthrosanthus multiflorus poisonous?
Orthrosanthus multiflorus has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Orthrosanthus multiflorus
