Overview
Iris 'Alice Harding' (TB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Alice Harding' (TB) grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, cut flowers and flower borders and beds.
About
Iris 'Alice Harding' is a clump-forming cultivar of the Iris genus, known for its deciduous foliage and upright stems bearing distinctive flowers with three broad fall petals and three smaller standard petals. This cultivar thrives in well-drained, fertile loam soil with a neutral pH, ideally in full sun and a sheltered position facing south, east, or west. Suitable for city gardens, patios, and flower borders, it flowers in spring and is hardy to UK zone H6. Propagation is by division of rhizomes, which should be planted shallowly with the tops exposed to avoid waterlogging.
About the genus
Iris takes its name from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and for once the naming feels entirely earned. I can't think of another genus that covers so much ground — inky purples, burnt apricots, clean whites, blues that seem lit from inside — or so many situations. There are bearded irises that want their rhizomes baked in full sun, Siberian types happy in ordinary border soil, and species that will sit contentedly at the edge of a pond. What they share is the flower: three petals standing up, three falling away, built with a kind of architectural confidence most plants never attempt. Even out of bloom the foliage earns its place — those upright fans of blue-green leaves hold a border together for months. I grow them for the fortnight in May and June when nothing else in the garden can compete, and I've made my peace with that. Some plants are for the long haul. An iris is an event.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Iris
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Iris 'Alice Harding' (TB) size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Iris 'Alice Harding' (TB)
- Propagation
- Division of rhizomes
- Pest resistance
- Slugs, Snails, Thrips
- Disease resistance
- Aphid-borne viruses, Bacterial soft rot, Grey moulds
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Iris 'Alice Harding' (TB)?
Iris 'Alice Harding' (TB) prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Iris 'Alice Harding' (TB) need?
Iris 'Alice Harding' (TB) grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Iris 'Alice Harding' (TB) hardy in the UK?
Iris 'Alice Harding' (TB) has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Iris 'Alice Harding' (TB)?
Division of rhizomes.
More in the Iris genus
- Iris 'After Dark' (TB)
- Iris 'Aachen Prince'
- Iris 'Aaron's Angel' (TB)
- Iris 'Ablaze' (MDB)
- Iris 'About Town' (TB)
- Iris 'Absolute Joy' (SDB)
- Iris 'Acacia Rhumba' (La)
- Iris 'Acapulco Sunset' (TB)