About
A rhizomatous perennial with sword-shaped silvery-green leaves and wine-red flowers with a white stripe in the centre appearing May to June. Thrives in bogs, marshes and the edge of lakes and streams.
About the genus
Iris may be rhizomatous or bulbous perennials, with narrow leaves and erect stems bearing flowers with 3 large spreading or pendent fall petals, alternating with 3 erect, often smaller, standard petals, in late winter, spring or early summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesBorders, containers, naturalising in grass.
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist to wet, deep, humus-rich, acid soil; thrives at the margins of ponds or streams. Tolerates some lime
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division from mid-summer to early autumn. See dividing irises
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and iris sawfly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to aphid-borne viruses, bacterial soft rot and grey moulds; see Iris diseases