Common Name: candy lily
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Iridaceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Description: Purple tinged with yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Dry Soil
Culture
Grow in well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. Tolerates summer heat and some dryish soil. Prefers sandy, humusy soils with consistent moisture. Avoid poorly drained soils. Best sited in areas with good air circulation. Plants may self seed.
Noteworthy Characteristics
× Pardancanda, commonly called candy lily, has flowers that closely resemble those of Belamcanda. It is a bigeneric genus (Belamcanda chinensis x Pardanthopsis dichotoma).
‘Sangria’ is noted for producing unusually large iris-like blooms (to 3” across) of plum purple flowers tinged with yellow. Each flower lasts only one day. Flowers bloom in mid to late summer on stiff scapes rising to 18” tall slightly above sword-shaped bluish-green leaves. Flowers give way to glossy black seed heads that are ornamentally attractive and persist into winter.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to iris borer. Watch for fungal and bacterial leaf spot.
Uses
Borders. Meadows. Rock gardens.