About
This clump-forming, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial with sword-shaped green leaves and large, perfumed, ruffled golden yellow to dark gold flowers with bright orange beards appearing May to June.
About the genus
Iris may be rhizomatous or bulbous perennials, with narrow leaves and erect stems bearing flowers with 3 large spreading or pendent fall petals, alternating with 3 erect, often smaller, standard petals, in late winter, spring or early summer
Plant details
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Suggested usesBorders, containers, naturalising in grass.
ToxicityHarmful, if, eaten., Wear, gloves, and, other, protective, equipment, when, handling., Pets:, Harmful, if, eaten., For, further, information, and, contact, numbers, regarding, pets,, see, the, HTA, guide, to, potentially, harmful, plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-drained, fertile, neutral to slightly acidic soil in full sun. Do not cover the rhizomes with mulch, or allow other plants to shade them; sun on the rhizomes encourages flowering. Give a high potash feed in spring and divide every three to four years. See also bearded iris cultivation
PruningRemove any dying foliage in autumn, old flower stems can be cut down after flowering
PropagationPropagate by division of rhizomes from midsummer to early autumn, see dividing irises
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to aphid-borne viruses, bacterial soft rot and grey moulds; see Iris diseases