PlantFiles: Libertia
Libertia formosa

Libertia chilensis (syn. Libertia formosa) is native to the Chilean Patagonia (cold rain forests).

This lovely clump-forming monocotyledonean Iridaceae grows in humid nutrient rich well drained soils, requires full sun to light shade (plant in light shade in the hotter zones), blooms during spring and summer and the seeds ripen during summer/autumn. This plant requires lots of luminosity and the roots/rhizomes do not like to be disturbed. If you dig the plant to split the rhizomes, the new plants will show a very poor growth during the first year and will not bloom before the second year after being transplanted.

It is a nice plant to go at the sides of paths, in meadows, to be planted around shrubs/small trees, close to ditches, watercourses, ponds, rock gardens, on curbs, pots and containers and, very important, it will retain soil from sliding on slopes/inclined land.

Sowing recommendations: this Libertia can be sown either in autumn (natural stratification) or during spring (regular sowing), in the following soil mix: 2 parts compost, 1 part regular garden soil, 1 part acidic soil and one part sharp river sand. Spread the seeds on this mix and barely cover them with the same soil composition. Gently press them on top and keep moist. These seeds can also be directly sown. Libertias grown from seeds will bloom the second year after sowing and their best flower display will occur from the third year on. Needless to say: they are well worth the patience!