Iris 'Downtown Brown' (TB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Downtown Brown' (TB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Downtown Brown' (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 'Downtown Brown' is an herbaceous, clump-forming perennial in the Iridaceae suited to city and courtyard planting and for use as a cut flower. It flowers from May to July and carries deciduous foliage that dies back after the season. Plant in a sheltered, south-, east- or west-facing spot in neutral loam with good drainage. It is very hardy (H6) and tolerates typical UK winters when given a protected position.

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 'Downtown Brown' sits within the iris family (Iridaceae) and is grown as a clump-forming herbaceous perennial for borders, containers and cut flowers. Its recommended uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal beds, patio containers and mixed flower borders. Flowering takes place from May to July, after which the foliage follows a deciduous cycle and dies back. Choose a site that receives full sun and is sheltered from prevailing winds; a south-, east- or west-facing aspect gives the best exposure. A neutral loam with good drainage is important—avoid waterlogged locations. The cultivar is rated H6 (very hardy), so when established it will withstand most UK winters provided roots are not kept wet and the planting position is protected. Plant into containers or borders where the clumping habit can be appreciated and stems are easy to cut for indoor flowers. As a patio subject it performs well in loam-based compost that drains freely. Because foliage is deciduous, the clump becomes less conspicuous after summer; this seasonal die-back is normal and allows other autumn and winter structure to be seen in the border.

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 'Downtown Brown' (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