Iris 'Bhutan Glory' — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Bhutan Glory' is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Bhutan Glory' 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 'Bhutan Glory' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae, with deciduous leaves and a flowering season from May to July. It performs best in full sun on a well-drained loam with a neutral pH and prefers a sheltered aspect. Rated H6, it is very hardy in most UK gardens. Suitable uses include city courtyards, cottage borders, patios and cutting for vases.

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 'Bhutan Glory' sits in the iris family as a clump-forming herbaceous perennial that dies back to deciduous foliage outside the growing season and flowers from May to July. Its seasonal flowering period makes it a reliable source of stems for cutting in late spring and early summer. Plant in full sun on loam that drains freely and registers close to neutral pH; avoid positions that hold water. Place the clump where it will be sheltered from prevailing wind and choose south-, east- or west-facing aspects to maximise flowering. The H6 rating means it is very hardy across most of the UK, so it will tolerate winter conditions in open borders when given the right soil and exposure. Use Iris 'Bhutan Glory' at the front of a mixed border, in a cottage-style bed or in containers and courtyard plots where a sheltered, sunny aspect is available. It also suits patios when grown in sufficiently free-draining soil. Cut stems between May and July for indoor arrangements, harvesting when flowers are partly open to extend vase life.

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 'Bhutan Glory' 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