Overview

Iris 'Powder Blue Cadillac' (TB) is a upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with blue-green foliage. Iris 'Powder Blue Cadillac' (TB) grows best in full sun, and tolerates sandy soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include border planting and architectural plant.

About

Iris 'Powder Blue Cadillac' is an upright herbaceous perennial in the iris family with blue-green foliage that provides a strong architectural presence. It flowers in the UK from May to July. The cultivar prefers full sun and a dry, sandy, neutral soil on a south-facing, sheltered site. Fully hardy (H7), it is suited to structured border planting and architectural uses.

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 'Powder Blue Cadillac' sits within the Iridaceae as an upright, herbaceous perennial notable for its blue-green leaves and clear, architectural lines. As a named cultivar it is used where a vertical, structural element is required rather than as a ground cover or dense mat. Flowering season in the UK runs from May to July, when its inflorescences rise above the foliage. Plant in a sunny, south-facing spot with excellent drainage: sandy, neutral soil and a dry regime suit this iris. Choose a sheltered position to protect the emerging shoots and spent stems from strong, cold winds. It is fully hardy in the UK (H7), so it tolerates typical winter conditions without the need for seasonal protection, provided soil is free-draining and not persistently wet. Use this cultivar as a vertical accent in perennial borders or where an architectural focal point is wanted. Position it among lower-growing plants so the upright leaves and summer blooms remain visible, or place it in a gravelly, south-facing bed where dry conditions are assured. Its upright habit and blue-green foliage hold structure through the season, giving the border a steady, measured form even after the flowers have finished.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Iris

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Sandy

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Dry

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Iris 'Powder Blue Cadillac' (TB) size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Upright

Foliage

Blue-green

Suggested uses

Border planting, Architectural plant

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Iris 'Powder Blue Cadillac' (TB)

Propagation

Division, Seed

Pest resistance

Resistant

Disease resistance

Resistant

Frequently asked questions

More in the Iris genus

• 
  Iris 'Antigone' (TB)
• 
  Iris 'Dauntless' (TB)
• 
  Iris 'Dipped in Dots' (TB)
• Iris 'Ablaze' (MDB)
• Iris 'After the Storm' (TB)
• Iris 'Aldo Ratti' (TB)
• Iris 'Alene's New Love' (SDB)iris 'Alene's New Love'
• Iris 'Alpine Lake' (MDB)