Belamcanda 'Freckle Face' - Blackberry Lily

Belamcanda chinensis 'Freckle Face' delivers a knockout punch of color when you need it most in late summer. This Walters Gardens introduction produces abundant two-inch starry blooms in brilliant tangerine-orange, each petal playfully speckled with deep red freckles that give this cultivar its charming name. The flowers open in succession for weeks atop compact eighteen to twenty-four inch plants with handsome sword-shaped foliage that resembles bearded iris. What sets 'Freckle Face' apart is its remarkable second act: after the blooms fade, decorative tan seed pods split open to reveal clusters of glossy black seeds that look exactly like blackberries, persisting through winter to provide months of additional interest. This compact selection outperforms the pale species form and brings exotic flair to any sunny garden without demanding fussy care in return.

Growing 'Freckle Face' is simple. Plant it in full sun and well-drained soil, and this tough perennial thrives in zones 4 through 10 with minimal attention. The plant tolerates drought once established, shrugs off deer browsing, and asks for little beyond average garden soil and good drainage, especially during winter months. You'll appreciate its low-maintenance nature and reliable performance year after year. The flowers attract bees and butterflies during their bloom period, while the distinctive seed heads become conversation pieces in both the garden and in fresh or dried arrangements. 'Freckle Face' self-seeds moderately, allowing you to share starts with friends or let it naturalize in informal plantings.

Whether you're filling a sunny border, creating a cottage garden, designing a drought-tolerant landscape, or adding punch to prairie-style plantings, 'Freckle Face' delivers exceptional value. Pair it with purple coneflowers for stunning color contrast, combine it with ornamental grasses for textural interest, or plant it alongside black-eyed Susans for a hot-color extravaganza. The compact size works beautifully in smaller gardens and containers, while the vertical foliage adds structure throughout the growing season. From its cheerful freckled faces in summer to its architectural blackberry seed clusters in fall and winter, this perennial gives you three seasons of garden-worthy performance with practically zero effort required.

Photo Credit: Walters Gardens

General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.

Belamcanda 'Freckle Face' - Blackberry Lily

Yarrow is a true beginner friendly plant. It is does best in poor to average soil and is drought tolerant once established. All it really needs to thrive is well drained soil and a little neglect. As blooms slow down cut the plant down by half and this will often stimulate new growth and additional flowering.