Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes' (Black Iris 'Margot Holmes') — Clump-forming, upright

Overview

Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous foliage. Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes' grows best in full sun; some tolerate partial shade, and tolerates loam and chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds soils and neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5–H7. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens and containers. It is native to Southern China and Myanmar.

About

Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the iris family, commonly sold under the name Black Iris. It bears sword-shaped, often glaucous leaves and is grown for its cultivar-specific blooms. In the UK it flowers from May to July. It suits borders, rock gardens and containers.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Iris chrysographes

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 chrysographes 'Margot Holmes' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the Iridaceae, native to southern China and Myanmar. The plant is usually encountered under the trade name Black Iris and is valued for its cultivar-specific flowers that appear in late spring and early summer; flowering in the UK runs from May to July. Give this iris a sunny site; it performs best in full sun though some plants will tolerate partial shade. Soil should be a freely draining loam, chalk or sandy mix with a neutral to slightly alkaline reaction, and kept on the drier side rather than waterlogged. Plant in a south- or west-facing spot where exposure may be either sheltered or open; the cultivar copes with a wide range of conditions. Hardiness is H5–H7 (hardy to fully hardy), equivalent to USDA zones 3–9, so it will survive typical UK winters in most gardens. Use Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes' in mixed borders, rock gardens or in containers where its clump-forming habit can be contained. Positioning on a south- or west-facing border gives the best display through May to July when the plant comes into flower.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Iris

Sunlight: Full sun; some tolerate partial shade
Soil type: Loam, chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Soil moisture: Well drained; Siberian and Japanese kinds need moisture-retentive soil
Aspect: South or west facing
Exposure: Exposed or sheltered
UK hardiness: H5–H7

Plant details

Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, upright
Foliage: Deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous
Suggested uses: Borders, rock gardens, containers
Native to: Southern China, Myanmar

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes'

Cultivation: Plant bearded irises with the top of the rhizome exposed so it can bake in summer sun; beardless kinds sit just below the surface in richer, damper ground. Feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser after flowering and keep the rhizomes clear of mulch and encroaching neighbours.
Pruning: Remove spent flower stems at the base. Trim the outer leaves back by about half in late autumn to reduce overwintering fungal spores, leaving the central fan intact.
Propagation: Divide rhizomes six to eight weeks after flowering, discarding the old woody centre and replanting vigorous outer sections. Species come from seed, but named cultivars will not come true.
Pest resistance: Generally trouble-free, though iris sawfly and slugs damage foliage and thrips can disfigure buds.
Disease resistance: Prone to leaf spot, and to rhizome rot wherever drainage is poor or planting too deep.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes'?

Plant bearded irises with the top of the rhizome exposed so it can bake in summer sun; beardless kinds sit just below the surface in richer, damper ground. Feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser after flowering and keep the rhizomes clear of mulch and encroaching neighbours.

Where is the best place to plant Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes'?

Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes' prefers full sun; some tolerate partial shade. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.

What soil does Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes' need?

Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes' grows best in loam and chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds soil. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays well drained; siberian and japanese kinds need moisture-retentive soil.

How do I prune Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes'?

Remove spent flower stems at the base. Trim the outer leaves back by about half in late autumn to reduce overwintering fungal spores, leaving the central fan intact.

Is Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes' hardy in the UK?

Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.

How do I propagate Iris chrysographes 'Margot Holmes'?

Divide rhizomes six to eight weeks after flowering, discarding the old woody centre and replanting vigorous outer sections. Species come from seed, but named cultivars will not come true.

More in the Iris genus

Browse all Iris →