PlantFiles Pictures: Vesper Iris (Pardanthopsis dichotoma), 1 by Buttoneer

Buttoneer wrote:

Pardanthopsis dichotoma is in the Family Iris but not the
Genus Iris. It is the sole member of the Genus Pardanthopsis.
It is commonly referred to as the Vesper Iris. It is indigenous
to Central Asia and China, roughly speaking. It requires full
sun and should be given plenty of water during bloom season.
The Vesper Iris is a short lived perennial, usually living 3 or 4
years, that grows to a height of about 4 feet. It can probably
tolerate Zone 6 temperatures, but in cold climates, it can be
grown as an annual provided the seeds are planted earlyly
enough (late fall or winter). Plant the seeds directly outdoors
as they require at least 4-6 weeks of freezing temperatures in
order to germinate.
Flowers are small (only about 1") but abundant on each plant.
They begin to open in late afternoon and really put on quite a
display fully expanding in just a couple minutes. By morning the
flowers wither away to be replaced with fresh ones later that
evening. Since the flowers are so abundant, the display can
go on for up to 3-4 weeks. The flowers are typically in shades
of white and violet. Bloom time is mid-summer.
Nobody has succesfully crossed Vesper Irises with members
of the Genus Iris, but they have been crossed with Genus
Belamcanda to form hybrids called Candy Lilies. Samuel
Norris of Owensville, Kentucky made this breakthrough in
1967 when he produced fertile hybrids between the two
genera. (Sam Norris has also done much hybridizing with
bearded irises, arils, and
Louisianas.)

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Common name: Vesper Iris
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Pardanthopsis
Species dichotoma