Iris 'Barbara My Love' (TB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Barbara My Love' (TB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Barbara My Love' (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 'Barbara My Love' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the iris family that flowers from May to July. It carries deciduous foliage and produces seasonal blooms in early summer. Plant it in full sun on neutral, well-drained loam in a sheltered aspect. It is well suited to borders, patios and as a source of cut flowers.

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.

Written by Henry

In the garden

Iris 'Barbara My Love' sits within the Iridaceae and is offered as a garden cultivar for early to midsummer display, producing its flowers between May and July. As a clump-forming herbaceous perennial, it dies back after the season and returns the following year from the same rhizomatous or bulbous crown characteristic of garden irises. Position the plant in full sun where it will receive the maximum light through spring and early summer; south-, east- or west-facing aspects are all appropriate provided the site is sheltered from cold winds. A neutral loam that drains freely is important—avoid heavy, waterlogged ground—and a sheltered situation reduces the risk of wind damage to flower stems. The hardiness rating H6 indicates it is very hardy and will survive normal UK winter conditions when given the right siting and soil. Use Iris 'Barbara My Love' in mixed flower borders, city courtyards and patio containers where a seasonal summer display is needed, or grow it to supply short-lived cut blooms. Its deciduous foliage dies back after flowering, leaving the clump ready to push fresh shoots the following spring.

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 'Barbara My Love' (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