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Iris 'Lemon Mist' is a named cultivar of Iris in the family Iridaceae, grown for its seasonal flowers. It appears in nursery lists under its cultivar name and is treated as a garden iris. Flowers are produced in the UK between May and July. The cultivar is used where a spring–summer iris display 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 'Lemon Mist' is a cultivated selection within the genus Iris (family Iridaceae) sold under its cultivar name. As a garden variety, it is chosen for its flowering season rather than foliage or fruiting traits. Flowering occurs in the UK from May to July, placing it in the late-spring to early-summer colour window that many gardeners plan around. For successful establishment, place the plant where it receives good light and ensure soil does not remain waterlogged; many iris cultivars respond well to free-draining conditions and a sunny aspect. Allow clumps room to expand rather than crowding them; routine lifting and dividing after flowering helps maintain flowering vigour in subsequent seasons. Avoid over-deep planting of the crown to encourage reliable shoots the following year. In a UK garden, the cultivar suits a sunny mixed border, a dedicated iris bed or a gravel area where drainage is assured. Plant it alongside other late-spring perennials to extend the seasonal display. Keep records using the full cultivar name, Iris 'Lemon Mist', so the selection can be tracked and repeated reliably in future plantings.

More in the Iris genus

Browse all Iris →
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