Iris 'Mrs Marion Cran' (TB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Mrs Marion Cran' (TB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Mrs Marion Cran' (TB) 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 'Mrs Marion Cran' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Iris genus that carries its flowering display into early summer. It produces deciduous foliage and upright stems bearing blooms from May to July. Plants require full sun in a neutral loam that drains freely and a sheltered, south-, east- or west-facing position. Flower stems are well suited to cutting for indoor arrangements.

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 'Mrs Marion Cran' is a named garden cultivar of Iris grown as a herbaceous perennial that forms neat clumps of foliage before and after flowering. As a deciduous plant it dies back after the season, and the clumping habit helps maintain tidy planting where space is limited. The recorded flowering period runs from May to July, providing a run of colour through early to mid-summer and producing stems suitable for cutting. Give this iris a sunny site on a neutral loam that is free-draining; poor drainage will shorten its season. Situate plants in a sheltered position on a south-, east- or west-facing aspect to reduce wind damage to the flower stems. The assigned UK hardiness H6 equates to very hardy in most British gardens, so established clumps will tolerate typical winter conditions across the UK. Iris 'Mrs Marion Cran' suits city and courtyard planting, patio containers, cottage and informal borders, and mixed flower beds where cut blooms are wanted. Place it where the flowering stems can be seen and cut without disturbing neighbouring plants, and use the stems in vases while the May to July flowering is at its peak.

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 'Mrs Marion Cran' (TB) 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