Iris 'Sheba's Queen' — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Sheba's Queen' is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Sheba's Queen' 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 'Sheba's Queen' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae that flowers from May to July. It has deciduous foliage and prefers full sun on a neutral, well-drained loam in a sheltered, south-, east- or west-facing position. Rated H6 for the UK, it tolerates cold winters when planted in a protected spot. Use it in borders, containers, courtyards or for cut flowers where a reliable early-summer display is required.

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 'Sheba's Queen' sits in the iris family Iridaceae as a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial that produces its flowering display from May to July. The foliage is deciduous, so leaves die back outside the growing season; the plant's habit suits regular groupings in mixed borders or contained displays. Plant in a position that receives full sun and has a neutral, well-drained loam. A sheltered siting—south-, east- or west-facing—is recommended to reduce wind exposure and help stems remain upright during the flowering period. The cultivar carries an H6 hardiness rating for the UK, equivalent to very hardy, but establishing roots in free-draining soil will reduce the risk of winter rot. Where space is limited, the clump-forming habit makes it suitable for patio containers and city or courtyard planting, while it also integrates well into cottage-style and informal borders. Flowers produced between May and July are appropriate for cutting for early- to mid-summer arrangements, so plan placements where stems are easily accessible for harvest.

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 'Sheba's Queen' 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