Iris 'Emma Ripeka' (Sib) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Emma Ripeka' (Sib) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Emma Ripeka' (Sib) 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 'Emma Ripeka' is a clump-forming, deciduous herbaceous perennial in the iris family that flowers from May to July. It performs best in full sun on a loam soil with a neutral pH and reliable drainage. Plants prefer a sheltered position facing south, east or west and tolerate typical UK winter conditions (H6, very hardy). Suitable for borders, containers and as stems for cutting, it fits well into city courtyards and cottage-style borders.

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 'Emma Ripeka' sits within the Iridaceae as a clump-forming herbaceous perennial and produces its display in the main late spring to mid-summer window of May to July. The foliage dies back seasonally, and the plant establishes as a distinct clump that can provide mid-season height and flowers in mixed beds. Its flowering period makes it useful where continuous spring-summer succession is required. Place Iris 'Emma Ripeka' in full sun on a loam soil with a neutral pH and ensure the soil drains freely; avoid heavy, waterlogged ground. Give it a sheltered aspect — south-, east- or west-facing — to reduce wind damage to flowering stems. The hardiness rating H6 indicates it withstands ordinary UK winters without additional protection. Iris 'Emma Ripeka' adapts to a range of planting situations: use in city and courtyard gardens where containers are available, in cottage and informal borders, or in flower beds for cut stems. In containers select a loam-based compost with good drainage and a frost-protective siting. Its May to July bloom period is particularly valuable for providing cut flowers through the early to mid-summer months.

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 'Emma Ripeka' (Sib) 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