Candy lily is an iris in the Iridaceae family and is a cross between Iris domestica (the Blackberry Lily) and Iris dichotoma (the Vester Iris). The 'x' in the name means that it is a hybrid between two different species. Candy lily is a herbaceous, short-lived perennial, lasting 3 to 4 years. The mature plant can reach 2 to 3 feet high with flowers that last just one day, but the plant will keep blooming for weeks in summer. The flowers are saucer shaped and come in colors of yellow, orange, pink, purple and red. The species name norrisii honors amateur gardener Samuel Norrisis, who created the cross. Candy lily does best in full sun to part shade with a medium to dry level of watering in well drained, dry, rocky, or sandy soils. The plant will tolerate summer heat and drought, but can require a light winter mulch in cooler climates, such as USDA Zone 5. The plant will self sow and can be easily propagated by seeds or cuttings. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No serious diseases or insect pests.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheLantana camara 'Miss Huff'Sedum 'Birthday Party'Solidago virgaurea 'Peter Pan'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial; Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.