About
A bulbous perennial, to 60cm tall, with narrow, linear, mid green leaves and in late spring or early summer bears flowers with pale violet-blue standards and silvery-white falls with yellow central blotches at the bases and slightly ruffled margins.
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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
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
CultivationPlant in any good garden soil that is well-drained, in full sun or light shade; for more advice see bulb iris cultivation
PruningFoliage dies down naturally after flowering (summer dormant) so just pull away the foliage once dead and straw-brown
PropagationPropagate by division in autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and thrips
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf spots, ink disease, rust diseases, bulb rot and viruses; see Iris diseases for more details