Iris 'Derring Do' (SDB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Derring Do' (SDB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Derring Do' (SDB) 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 'Derring Do' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae that produces a concentrated display of flowers from May to July. It has deciduous leaves and prefers a sheltered, south-, east- or west-facing site. Plant in neutral, well-drained loam in full sun. Rated H6 for the UK, it is suitable for borders, containers and cut-flower use.

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 'Derring Do' is a clump-forming member of the iris family that flowers from May to July. The plant's deciduous foliage dies back after the season, leaving the crown to rest through winter. As a herbaceous perennial it re-emerges to provide a defined burst of bloom each late spring to early summer. Choose a sheltered, south-, east- or west-facing position in neutral, well-drained loam and give it full sun for best flowering. The H6 hardiness rating means the plant is very hardy in UK conditions, though it performs best where winter wet is avoided; free drainage is especially important in heavier soils. A sheltered site reduces wind-burn on open flower stems and helps retain a tidy clump through the season. It suits city and courtyard planting, cottage and informal borders, patio containers and beds where a short, intense flowering period is wanted. Stems can be cut for vases during the May to July flowering window. Because the foliage is deciduous and the crown retreats after flowering, mark its position in mixed plantings to avoid accidental disturbance when beds are cleared in autumn.

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 'Derring Do' (SDB) 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