Overview
Iris 'Got Milk' (TB) is a upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with blue-green foliage. Iris 'Got Milk' (TB) grows best in full sun, and tolerates sandy soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include border planting and architectural plant.
About
Iris 'Got Milk' is an upright herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae with blue-green foliage and a clear architectural presence. It flowers from May to July. Position in a sunny, south-facing spot with sandy, neutral soil and shelter from exposed winds. Suited to border planting where vertical form is wanted.
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 'Got Milk' sits within the genus Iris as an herbaceous perennial with an upright habit and blue-green leaves, offering a vertical accent across late spring and early summer. Its bloom period is May to July, providing a defined flowering window for mixed plantings. Choose a full-sun, south-facing site with sandy, neutral soil and a sheltered aspect; the plant prefers dry conditions and will not tolerate poorly drained ground. In UK terms it is H7, fully hardy outdoors, so it will overwinter in most gardens without special protection. Good drainage is essential—avoid heavy, moisture-retentive soils—and give it a spot where the foliage can be clearly seen when not in flower. Use Iris 'Got Milk' as a structural element in herbaceous borders or where an architectural vertical is needed. Grouped clumps can mark a line or punctuate the back of a border and the blue-green leaves provide a steady backdrop to lower, softer-textured plants. The combination of upright habit and a May–July flowering span makes it straightforward to plan companion planting that fills early-spring space before bloom and late-summer interest after the flowers have finished.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Iris
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Sandy
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Dry
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Iris 'Got Milk' (TB) size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Upright
- Foliage
- Blue-green
- Suggested uses
- Border planting, Architectural plant
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Iris 'Got Milk' (TB)
- Propagation
- Division, Seed
- Pest resistance
- Resistant
- Disease resistance
- Resistant
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Iris 'Got Milk' (TB)?
Iris 'Got Milk' (TB) prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Iris 'Got Milk' (TB) need?
Iris 'Got Milk' (TB) grows best in sandy soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays dry.
Is Iris 'Got Milk' (TB) hardy in the UK?
Iris 'Got Milk' (TB) has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Iris 'Got Milk' (TB)?
Division, Seed.
More in the Iris genus
- Iris 'Antigone' (TB)
- Iris 'Dauntless' (TB)
- Iris 'Dipped in Dots' (TB)
- Iris 'Ablaze' (MDB)
- Iris 'After the Storm' (TB)
- Iris 'Aldo Ratti' (TB)
- Iris 'Alene's New Love' (SDB)iris 'Alene's New Love'
- Iris 'Alpine Lake' (MDB)