Libertia grandiflora
The predominant colour in the garden at the moment is green, and nowhere is that more the case than in the lower part of the garden, where raised beds full of perennials lead down to our gipsy caravan. There have been snowdrops and daffodils and some early peonies – they’ve all disappeared now and apart from sweet rocket beginning to flower, it’s a green scene.
There’s one exception that’s impossible to miss. Close to the tap at one end of the middle bed is a huge plant of Libertia grandiflora that has just burst into bloom. Belonging to Iridaceae, the iris family, this delightful New Zealander makes an impressive clump of slender, strap-like leaves, dark green and healthy and the perfect foil for the tall stems of white, threepetalled flowers that throng the plant.
Libertia is evergreen and even deep in the winter makes a fine specimen with its clump of shiny leaves. It’s easy to grow in almost any situation and though it appreciates sunshine it can cope with dappled shade. It needs reasonably fertile soil and good drainage. Having said that, it thrives with proper watering in the summer.