Iris 'Hit Song' — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Hit Song' is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Hit Song' 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 'Hit Song' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae that flowers from May to July. It carries deciduous foliage and performs best in full sun on neutral, well-drained loam. Place it in a sheltered, south-, east- or west-facing spot. It suits city courtyards, patio containers, borders and can be used as a cut flower.

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 'Hit Song' is a cultivated iris (Iridaceae) that forms permanent clumps and produces its flower display between May and July. Its leaves are deciduous and the plant behaves as a herbaceous perennial, dying back after the season and regrowing the following year. Plant where it receives full sun on a neutral loam that drains freely; avoid waterlogged positions. A sheltered situation on a south-, east- or west-facing aspect will reduce wind exposure to the flowering stems and help protect blooms. The hardiness rating H6 corresponds to very hardy in UK terms, so plants tolerate typical winter conditions in most parts of the country when sited well. Iris 'Hit Song' fits small urban plots and larger beds alike: it works in city and courtyard gardens, cottage or informal borders, patio containers and as a source of cut flowers. Locate it where the flowering period will be visible from terraces or paths to gain maximum seasonal value. Expect reliable mid-to-summer stems suitable for cutting between May and July.

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 'Hit Song' 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