Iris 'Crinoline' (TB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Crinoline' (TB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Crinoline' (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 'Crinoline' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae that flowers reliably from May to July. It carries deciduous leaves and performs best in full sun on a neutral, loamy, well-drained soil. The plant favours a sheltered position, ideally on a south-, east- or west-facing aspect. It is rated H6 for UK conditions, so it tolerates cold winters when given suitable siting.

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 'Crinoline' sits within the iris family as a garden herbaceous perennial grown for its early to mid-summer display; flowering runs from May to July. The foliage is deciduous and the plant forms neat clumps, making it a recognisable component of mixed borders and beds. Exact origin details are not required to use it effectively in a temperate garden setting. Site it in full sun with a neutral loam that drains freely; waterlogging is the main soil issue to avoid. A sheltered aspect—south, east or west—reduces wind damage to flower stems and helps the plant maintain a tidy habit. The H6 hardiness rating means it is very hardy across most of the UK, so routine winter protection is seldom necessary beyond choosing a frost-sheltered spot. Use Iris 'Crinoline' where its seasonal display is most useful: city and courtyard plots, cottage or informal borders, patio containers and as a cut-flower source. When planted in groups it gives a concentrated summer showing for beds while single plants also lift small paved gardens or containers. Because it flowers from May to July, it provides a dependable run of stems for indoor arranging through early summer.

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 'Crinoline' (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