Not a Trillium

Dietes Bicolor

I saw this flower outside Assaggio Italian Restaurant in Mililani when we took my mom to a birthday lunch yesterday, and it brought back some memories. We had flowers just like this in back of our house before they were uprooted during renovations.

All this time I thought they were called Trillium, but a Google search failed to produce any pictures that would so identify the flower.

Well, as it turned out, it was Facebook and a good friend’s friend that came riding to the rescue.

The flower is a Dietes Bicolor, also known as the Japanese iris, African iris, or Butterfly iris. They are drought-tolerant and so are very suitable for xeriscaping. They’ll help beautify your garden as well, as they attract bees, butterflies and birds.

Thanks, Bev Upchurch of Nashville, and thanks, Helen Malanchak of New Zealand.