Iris 'Over Easy' (SDB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Over Easy' (SDB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Over Easy' (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 'Over Easy' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial that flowers from May to July. It has deciduous foliage and performs best in full sun on a well-drained neutral loam. Position it in a south-, east- or west-facing, sheltered spot to reduce exposure stress. Suited to borders, containers and cutting for the vase.

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 'Over Easy' is a named garden cultivar in the Iridaceae, grown as a herbaceous perennial with a clump-forming habit and deciduous leaves. Its flowering season runs from May to July, providing a concentrated display in late spring and early summer when stems are at their peak. Plant in a sunny site on free-draining loam with a neutral pH; soils that retain excess water will limit performance. A south-, east- or west-facing, sheltered aspect reduces wind exposure and helps flower stems remain upright. The cultivar is rated H6 (very hardy), so it tolerates typical UK winter conditions where frost and snow occur. Compact clump formation makes Iris 'Over Easy' adaptable to small-scale planting: use it in city or courtyard gardens, cottage and informal schemes, patio containers, and mixed borders. It is also suitable for cutting, with the best stems available during the May–July flowering flush. Locate it where the flowering period will be visible from paths, seating or windows so the seasonal bloom can be enjoyed and cut on the same day.

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 'Over Easy' (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