New Zealand Satin Flower

(Libertia chilensis)

New Zealand Satin Flower (Libertia chilensis)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Libertia chilensis, commonly known as New Zealand Satin Flower, though not native to New Zealand, is an evergreen perennial that originates from the grasslands and open forests of Chile. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and a width of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters). This plant forms clumps of upright, sword-shaped leaves and bears clusters of white, iris-like flowers in the spring and summer, which are moderately showy and attract pollinators.

New Zealand Satin Flower is appreciated for its architectural foliage and bright flowers, which add texture and contrast to garden beds and borders. It is often used in modern landscaping for its ease of maintenance and tolerance of a range of soil conditions. While it thrives in full sun, it can also tolerate part shade, making it versatile for different garden aspects. It requires medium amounts of water and well-drained soil to prevent root rot. It is not known for having significant disease problems or aggressive roots, but in some regions, it may self-seed and become somewhat invasive if not managed.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Grass
  • Height: 2-3 feet
  • Width: 3-4 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: White
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Grasslands and open forests of Chile

Other Names

Common Names: Snowy Mermaid , Chilean-Iris

Scientific Names: Libertia chilensis , Libertia formosa , Libertia elegans , Choeradodia chilensis , Liberatia chilensis , Libertia crassa , Libertia formosa var. crassa , Libertia formosa var. grandiflora , Orthrosanthus chilensis , Sisyrinchium fernandezianum

GBIF Accepted Name: Libertia chilensis (Molina) Gunckel