Fortnight Lily Companion Plants: Creating a Harmonious Garden

The Fortnight Lily Plant: A Brief Overview

Before we dive into discussing the best companion plants for the Fortnight Lily, let's take a brief look at what this plant is all about.

The Fortnight Lily (Dietes iridioides) is a perennial plant that belongs to the iris family. It is native to South Africa and is popularly grown for its attractive flowers and foliage. This plant gets its name from the fact that it blooms every two weeks in the spring and summer months. The Fortnight Lily has long, narrow leaves that grow up to 3 feet tall, and its flowers come in shades of white, yellow, and purple.

Why Choose Companion Plants for Your Fortnight Lily?

Companion planting is a gardening technique where you grow different plants together in order to benefit each other. This method has several advantages, such as:

• Increasing biodiversity in your garden

• Improving soil fertility

• Providing natural pest control

• Enhancing the visual appeal of your garden

By choosing the right companion plants for your Fortnight Lily, you can create a beautiful and functional garden that thrives year-round.

15 Best Companion Plants for Your Fortnight Lily

Here are some of the best companion plants for your Fortnight Lily:

1. Agapanthus

Agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus) is a beautiful perennial plant that produces large clusters of blue, white or purple flowers. This plant is an excellent match for the Fortnight Lily as both plants have similar growth requirements, such as full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.

How to Grow Agapanthus with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Agapanthus with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in the same bed, ensuring adequate spacing between the two plants. Water the plants regularly and provide a slow-release fertilizer every 6 months.

2. Mexican Bush Sage

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) is a drought-tolerant perennial plant that produces striking purple flowers with fuzzy white bracts. This plant is a great companion for the Fortnight Lily as it adds a pop of color and texture to the garden.

How to Grow Mexican Bush Sage with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Mexican Bush Sage with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a well-draining soil that gets plenty of sunlight. Water the plants regularly and provide a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.

3. Society Garlic

Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) is a hardy perennial plant that produces clusters of pink or white flowers. This plant is a great companion for the Fortnight Lily as it repels pests and adds a spicy garlic aroma to the garden.

How to Grow Society Garlic with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Society Garlic with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Water the plants regularly and provide a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.

4. Lantana

Lantana (Lantana camara) is a fast-growing perennial plant that produces clusters of flowers in shades of orange, pink, and yellow. This plant is an excellent companion for the Fortnight Lily as it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.

How to Grow Lantana with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Lantana with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Water the plants regularly and provide a balanced fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.

5. Purple Heart

Purple Heart (Setcreasea pallida) is a low-maintenance perennial plant that produces striking purple foliage. This plant is a great companion for the Fortnight Lily as it adds texture and color to the garden.

How to Grow Purple Heart with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Purple Heart with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a partial shade location with well-draining soil. Water the plants regularly and provide a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.

6. Verbena

Verbena (Verbena bonariensis) is a drought-tolerant perennial plant that produces clusters of tiny purple flowers. This plant is an ideal match for the Fortnight Lily as it attracts bees and butterflies to the garden.

How to Grow Verbena with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Verbena with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Water the plants regularly and provide a balanced fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.

7. Gardenia

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) is a fragrant perennial plant that produces white or yellow flowers. This plant is an excellent companion for the Fortnight Lily as it adds a sweet scent to the garden.

How to Grow Gardenia with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Gardenia with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a partial shade location with well-draining soil. Water the plants regularly and provide a slow-release fertilizer every 6 months.

8. Mexican Feather Grass

Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima) is a low-maintenance ornamental grass that produces soft, feathery blades. This plant is a great companion for the Fortnight Lily as it adds texture and movement to the garden.

How to Grow Mexican Feather Grass with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Mexican Feather Grass with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Water the plants infrequently and provide a balanced fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.

9. Kangaroo Paw

Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos flavidus) is a beautiful perennial plant that produces vibrant red, orange or yellow flowers. This plant is an ideal match for the Fortnight Lily as it adds a pop of color and attracts pollinators to the garden.

How to Grow Kangaroo Paw with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Kangaroo Paw with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Water the plants regularly and provide a slow-release fertilizer every 6 months.

10. Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a hardy perennial plant that produces bright yellow or orange flowers with black centers. This plant is a great companion for the Fortnight Lily as it adds color and attracts beneficial insects to the garden.

How to Grow Black-Eyed Susan with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Black-Eyed Susan with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Water the plants regularly and provide a balanced fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.

11. Blue Fescue

Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) is a low-maintenance ornamental grass that produces blue-grey foliage. This plant is an excellent match for the Fortnight Lily as it adds texture and color to the garden.

How to Grow Blue Fescue with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Blue Fescue with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Water the plants infrequently and provide a slow-release fertilizer every 6 months.

12. Star Jasmine

Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a fragrant perennial vine that produces white or pink flowers. This plant is a great companion for the Fortnight Lily as it adds a sweet scent and vertical interest to the garden.

How to Grow Star Jasmine with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Star Jasmine with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a partial shade location with well-draining soil. Water the plants regularly and provide a slow-release fertilizer every 6 months.

13. Salvia

Salvia (Salvia spp.) is a hardy perennial plant that produces spikes of flowers in shades of blue, purple or red. This plant is an ideal match for the Fortnight Lily as it adds color and attracts pollinators to the garden.

How to Grow Salvia with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Salvia with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Water the plants regularly and provide a balanced fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.

14. Coneflower

Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a hardy perennial plant that produces large pink, purple or white flowers. This plant is an excellent companion for the Fortnight Lily as it adds color and attracts beneficial insects to the garden.

How to Grow Coneflower with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Coneflower with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Water the plants regularly and provide a balanced fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.

15. Russian Sage

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a drought-tolerant perennial plant that produces spikes of lavender-blue flowers. This plant is an ideal match for the Fortnight Lily as it adds texture and height to the garden.

How to Grow Russian Sage with Your Fortnight Lily?

To grow Russian Sage with your Fortnight Lily, plant them in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Water the plants infrequently and provide a slow-release fertilizer every 6 months.

FAQs About Fortnight Lily Companion Plants

Here are some frequently asked questions about choosing companion plants for your Fortnight Lily:

1. Can I plant my Fortnight Lily with other plants that have similar care requirements?

Yes, you can! The Fortnight Lily grows well with other plants that prefer full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.

2. Can I plant my Fortnight Lily with vegetables?

Yes, you can! The Fortnight Lily is a great companion for vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers as it attracts beneficial insects to the garden.

3. Can I plant my Fortnight Lily in a container with other plants?

Yes, you can! The Fortnight Lily grows well in containers with other plants that have similar care requirements.

4. Can I plant my Fortnight Lily with plants that require more water?

No, you should avoid planting your Fortnight Lily with plants that require more water as this can lead to overwatering and root rot.

5. Can I plant my Fortnight Lily with plants that require less water?

Yes, you can! The Fortnight Lily is drought-tolerant and can grow well with plants that require less water.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right companion plants for your Fortnight Lily can help create a beautiful and harmonious garden. By selecting plants that have similar growth requirements and complement each other visually, you can create a thriving garden that attracts pollinators and beneficial insects. Experiment with different combinations of plants to find what works best for your garden.