Overview
Iris 'Heepers' (SDB) is a upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with blue-green foliage. Iris 'Heepers' (SDB) 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 'Heepers' is a herbaceous perennial iris with an upright habit and blue-green foliage. It flowers from May to July, sending up compact stems above the leaves. Best sited in full sun on sandy, neutral soil that remains dry and sheltered. Suitable for south-facing borders where vertical form is required.
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 'Heepers' is a member of the Iridaceae and grows as an upright herbaceous perennial with blue-green leaves. As a cultivar of Iris, it provides clear vertical lines in the border and produces its flower stems in late spring to high summer, flowering from May to July. Plant it in a south-facing, sheltered spot in full sun. It prefers sandy, neutral soil that remains on the dry side, so choose a free-draining location and avoid sites prone to winter waterlogging. The hardiness rating H7 indicates it is fully hardy in the UK and will withstand winter conditions typical of most British gardens when given the dryness and shelter it prefers. Use Iris 'Heepers' at the front or middle of a sunny border where its upright habit serves as an architectural element. It performs well where soils are lean and free-draining and in positions that receive prolonged sun through the day. Expect flowering stems to appear each May to July, rising above the blue-green foliage and emphasising the plant's vertical structure.
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 'Heepers' (SDB) 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 'Heepers' (SDB)
- Propagation
- Division, Seed
- Pest resistance
- Resistant
- Disease resistance
- Resistant
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Iris 'Heepers' (SDB)?
Iris 'Heepers' (SDB) prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Iris 'Heepers' (SDB) need?
Iris 'Heepers' (SDB) grows best in sandy soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays dry.
Is Iris 'Heepers' (SDB) hardy in the UK?
Iris 'Heepers' (SDB) 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 'Heepers' (SDB)?
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)