Belamcanda chinensis, the Leopard Lily or Blackberry Lily.

This is my plant of the day, easily grown from seed and flowering in it’s first year. A short, clump-forming rhizomatous hardy perennial with blue-green sword-shaped leaves and tall erect stems bearing yellow-orange flowers with orange-red to burgundy speckles in summer followed by clusters of large, black seeds.

As the flowers begin to open they seem to be twisted. I have yet to see one unfurl itself from this position but I imagine it must hurt! Appearing to be dainty and delicate, this plant is reputed to be invasive in the southern states of north America where it apparently colonises wetland areas. That must be quite a sight but, fortunately, highly unlikely in the clay soil of Cheltenham!