Neomarica northiana

Short-lived flower of Neomarica northiana

Neomarica northiana, the so-called 'walking iris' from Brazil (ht 60 cm), has arching fans of lush, long leaves and is a rhizomatous perennial. It can colonise garden beds with frightening speed by sending out its 'pups' on long runners, which take root immediately. It has small, three-petalled, blue-and- white flowers in spring and summer, which open only in the morning, and are often never noticed! For areas of dry shade under trees, however, this plant offers a pretty good covering of green where very little else will grow.

Neomarica northiana

Neomarica northiana

I grow it with Chlorophytum comosum 'Ocean' in a narrow bed a alongside a shaded garden path and it is an effective combination. It is regarded as frost tender but when grown under trees, it should survive in most Sydney suburbs over winter. There are no disease or pest problems. Propagation is by detaching and planting the pups.

According to some authorities, this plant should now be known as Trimezia northiana.