About
A popular, vigorous, rhizomatous perennial, to 80cm tall, with arching, narrow, vivid green leaves and upright stems bearing stunning cornflower blue standards and falls with an elegant yellow signal. Perfectly suited to pond margin and bog planting.
About the genus
Iris may be rhizomatous or bulbous perennials, with narrow leaves and erect stems bearing flowers with 3 large spreading or pendent fall petals, alternating with 3 erect, often smaller, standard petals, in late winter, spring or early summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in poorly drained, moist to wet, humus rich, acidic soil in full sun or partial shade. Will not tolerate drying out, keep consistently moist
PruningCut back flower stems after flowering and remove dying foliage in autumn
PropagationPropagate by division of rhizomes in autumn. See dividing irises
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to aphid-borne viruses, bacterial soft rot and grey moulds; see Iris diseases