Iris 'Leprechaun's Purse' (SDB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Leprechaun's Purse' (SDB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Leprechaun's Purse' (SDB) 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 'Leprechaun's Purse' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the iris family that flowers from May to July. It has deciduous foliage and favours full sun in neutral, well-drained loam. Best grown in sheltered, south-, east- or west-facing spots, it suits borders, containers and courtyards and also works as a cut flower. The plant carries an H6 rating, so it is very hardy in most UK garden locations.

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 'Leprechaun's Purse' sits within the Iridaceae as a clump-forming herbaceous perennial and produces its blooms between May and July. The leaves are deciduous and plants perform best where they get full sun on a neutral, loam-based soil that drains freely; a sheltered aspect (south-, east- or west-facing) helps avoid wind scuffing and encourages clean stems. Its H6 hardiness means it is very hardy across the UK, tolerating typical winter conditions provided sites are not waterlogged. Choose a planting spot with good air circulation but protection from prevailing winds; avoid heavy wet ground by improving drainage before planting. Container culture is possible for courtyards and patios if a free-draining compost is used and pots are placed in a sheltered position. Recurrent attention to soil structure — not frequent feeding — will keep crowns healthy. Iris 'Leprechaun's Purse' fits well in flower borders and mixed perennial beds and is compact enough for city and courtyard gardens. For use as cut flowers, harvest stems when the first buds begin to show colour to extend vase life; the cultivar reliably produces blooms through its May to July season.

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 'Leprechaun's Purse' (SDB) 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