Iris 'Eastertime' (TB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Eastertime' (TB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Eastertime' (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 'Eastertime' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the iris family that flowers from May to July. It has deciduous foliage and performs best in a sunny, well-drained neutral loam in a sheltered spot. Rated H6, it tolerates typical UK winters when planted in a favourable position. Use it where you want reliable spring–summer blooms and stems suitable for cutting.

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 'Eastertime' is a cultivated iris within the Iridaceae, grown for its seasonal flowering in late spring and early summer. As a clump-forming herbaceous perennial with deciduous leaves, it renews growth each year and displays its flowering season from May to July. The plant is suited to traditional garden beds as well as containers and courtyards where a sunny, sheltered aspect can be provided. Position plants in full sun on a neutral loam that drains freely; waterlogging will reduce performance. A south-, east- or west-facing aspect supplies the light and warmth this iris prefers, while a sheltered site cuts exposure to cold drying winds. The H6 hardiness rating means the cultivar is very hardy in UK climates, so established clumps withstand normal winter conditions when not sitting in saturated soil. Iris 'Eastertime' fits well in mixed flower borders, cottage-style plantings and patio containers, and its stems are suitable for cutting for indoor arrangements. Because the foliage is deciduous, leaves die back after the season, so plan surrounding planting accordingly. The flowering window from May to July provides a dependable run of stems for vases and for filling mid-season border gaps.

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 'Eastertime' (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