Iris 'Golden Ruby' (SDB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Golden Ruby' (SDB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Golden Ruby' (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 'Golden Ruby' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the iris family that flowers from May to July. It dies back in winter to deciduous foliage and produces fresh growth each spring. Plant in a sunny, well-drained site on neutral loam and give a sheltered aspect on south-, east- or west-facing positions. Suitable for borders, containers, courtyard planting and short-stem cut flowers, it carries an H6 rating for very hardy performance in UK gardens.

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 'Golden Ruby' belongs to the genus Iris (family Iridaceae) and is grown as a garden cultivar for its spring and early-summer blooms. Flowering runs from May to July, making it a useful bridge between other spring bulbs and later perennials. The plant forms neat clumps that reappear each year from herbaceous crowns and is best treated as a seasonal structural element rather than a permanent evergreen feature. Choose a site in full sun on loam with a neutral pH and reliably free-draining soil; poor drainage is the most common cause of decline. A sheltered position on a south-, east- or west-facing aspect helps protect emerging shoots and prolongs bloom in changeable spring weather. The H6 hardiness rating means it is very hardy and will tolerate typical UK winters when given the right soil and shelter. Iris 'Golden Ruby' suits city courtyards, patio containers and mixed flower borders. Plant in small groups for effective short-term display or in containers where loam-based compost and good drainage are provided. Flowers from May to July also work well as short-stem cut blooms for inside use, allowing you to enjoy the season beyond 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 'Golden Ruby' (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