Iris 'Eramosa Skies' (SDB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Eramosa Skies' (SDB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Eramosa Skies' (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 'Eramosa Skies' (SDB) is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae that flowers from May to July. It has deciduous foliage and prefers a sheltered, sunny position in neutral loam that drains freely. Plant facing south, east or west for best performance. It suits borders, containers and provides stems for cut flowers.

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 'Eramosa Skies' (SDB) belongs to the iris family and grows as a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with leaves that die back after the season. Flowering runs from May to July, offering an early-summer display and stems suitable for cutting. Its deciduous foliage withdraws after flowering, leaving the clump to rest until the following spring. Place Iris 'Eramosa Skies' in full sun on a south-, east- or west-facing site where it is sheltered from prevailing winds. It performs best in loam soils with a neutral pH and must not remain waterlogged, so free drainage is important. The hardiness rating H6 corresponds to a very hardy plant, able to withstand normal UK winter conditions when sited in a protected spot. Use this iris where you need a mid-to-early summer presence: in flower borders and beds, courtyards and city gardens, or in containers and on patios. It also works well for cutting, so position some clumps where stems are easy to harvest. Flowering from May to July makes it a reliable source of early-summer blooms while the clump retreats to its dormant period afterwards.

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 'Eramosa Skies' (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