Iris 'Rachel de Thame' (TB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Rachel de Thame' (TB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Rachel de Thame' (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 'Rachel de Thame' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the iris family that flowers in late spring to mid-summer. It has deciduous foliage and is grown for use in borders and for cutting. Plant it in a sunny, sheltered spot on neutral, well-drained loam. It is classed H6, meaning it is very hardy in UK gardens.

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 'Rachel de Thame' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial (Iridaceae) for flower borders and cut work. Flowering runs from May to July, offering a dependable window of colour for early summer displays. The foliage is deciduous, so leaves die back after the season's growth. Sit this iris in full sun on a neutral loam that drains freely; good soil structure matters more than extra feeding. A south-, east- or west-facing position that is sheltered from prevailing winds suits it best, helping flower stems remain upright through the season. It is rated H6 (very hardy) for UK conditions, so it will tolerate winter cold across most of the country when in the right situation. Use it in mixed flower borders and beds where its clump-forming habit can be allowed to establish, or in containers and courtyards that provide a sunny, sheltered aspect. The cultivar's flowering period makes it practical for cutting into early-summer arrangements and for filling a seasonal gap in borders and patio displays.

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 'Rachel de Thame' (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