Iris 'Man's Best Friend' (IB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Man's Best Friend' (IB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Man's Best Friend' (IB) 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 'Man's Best Friend' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae that flowers from May to July. It has deciduous foliage and performs best in a sheltered, sunny position. Plant in neutral loam that drains freely and choose a south-, east- or west-facing aspect. Suited to borders, containers and as a source of cut flowers.

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 'Man's Best Friend' belongs to the genus Iris (family Iridaceae) and is a cultivated clump-forming herbaceous perennial intended for ornamental planting. Its season of interest runs from May to July when the flowering stems appear, making it a seasonal contributor to late spring and early summer displays. Position the plant where it receives full sun and protection from strong exposure; a sheltered spot on a south-, east- or west-facing aspect suits it best. Soils should be a neutral loam with good drainage — waterlogged ground will limit performance. The cultivar carries an H6 rating, which translates to "very hardy" for UK conditions, so it tolerates most winters when given the recommended sheltered siting. Use Iris 'Man's Best Friend' in flower borders and beds, in city courtyards or patio containers where a spring-to-summer bloom period is required, or grow it specifically for cut flowers. Its clump-forming habit makes it straightforward to place in mixed borders or alongside lower perennials; stems can be cut during the May–July flowering window for vase work.

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 'Man's Best Friend' (IB) 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