Overview

Iris pseudacorus 'Golden Fleece' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous foliage. It typically grows around 1.5 m tall. Iris pseudacorus 'Golden Fleece' grows best in full sun; some tolerate partial shade, and tolerates loam and chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds soils and neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5–H7. Suggested uses include pond edges, water gardens and wetland areas. It is native to Europe, western Asia and northwest Africa.

About

Iris pseudacorus 'Golden Fleece' is a clump-forming, upright perennial Yellow Flag selected for pond and marginal planting. It reaches about 1.5 m and carries sword-shaped, often glaucous leaves. Flowering runs from May to July with yellow blooms at water margins. The plant is toxic if ingested.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Iris pseudacorus

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 pseudacorus 'Golden Fleece' is a clump-forming perennial in the Iridaceae, native to Europe, western Asia and northwest Africa and grown for planting at pond edges and in water gardens. The cultivar forms upright fans of sword-shaped leaves, often with a glaucous bloom, and typically reaches about 1.5 m, making it a strong structural element in marginal schemes. Place the plant in full sun where possible; it will tolerate some light shade. Recommended soils are loam, chalk or sand on neutral to slightly alkaline ground. Note that soil guidance for irises can vary by group — for example, bearded types favour sharply drained mixes — so match the planting location to the soil type you have. A south- or west-facing aspect suits the plant and it will cope in both exposed and sheltered positions. Its UK hardiness is H5–H7, meaning it is hardy to fully hardy across most British gardens. Use Golden Fleece at the back of a pond margin or alongside wetter borders where a tall, upright clump is needed; its height and habit give a clear vertical line behind lower marginal plants. Take care handling and planting because all parts are toxic if ingested. Flowering from May to July provides a sustained run of yellow blooms at water margins.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Iris

Sunlight

Full sun; some tolerate partial shade

Soil type

Loam, chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Soil moisture

Well drained; Siberian and Japanese kinds need moisture-retentive soil

Aspect

South or west facing

Exposure

Exposed or sheltered

UK hardiness

H5–H7

Plant details

Iris pseudacorus 'Golden Fleece' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Habit

Clump-forming, upright

Foliage

Deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous

Height

1.5 m

Suggested uses

Pond edges, water gardens, wetland areas

Native to

Europe, western Asia, northwest Africa

Toxicity

Toxic if ingested

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Iris pseudacorus 'Golden Fleece'

Cultivation

Plant bearded irises with the top of the rhizome exposed so it can bake in summer sun; beardless kinds sit just below the surface in richer, damper ground. Feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser after flowering and keep the rhizomes clear of mulch and encroaching neighbours.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems at the base. Trim the outer leaves back by about half in late autumn to reduce overwintering fungal spores, leaving the central fan intact.

Propagation

Divide rhizomes six to eight weeks after flowering, discarding the old woody centre and replanting vigorous outer sections. Species come from seed, but named cultivars will not come true.

Pest resistance

Generally trouble-free, though iris sawfly and slugs damage foliage and thrips can disfigure buds.

Disease resistance

Prone to leaf spot, and to rhizome rot wherever drainage is poor or planting too deep.

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)