Iris 'Spiced Custard' (TB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Spiced Custard' (TB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Spiced Custard' (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 'Spiced Custard' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae that flowers from May to July. It has deciduous foliage and prefers full sun in a well-drained loam of neutral pH. Plant on a sheltered south-, east- or west-facing aspect to give the best performance. It is suitable for borders, containers and use as cut flowers.

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 'Spiced Custard' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial within the iris family (Iridaceae), valued for its seasonal display between May and July. The foliage is deciduous and the plant develops in discrete clumps that fit readily into mixed borders or contained displays. Hardiness is H6, which translates to very hardy under UK conditions where plants are not left in exposed, waterlogged sites. Give the plant a position in full sun on a well-drained loam with a neutral pH; choose a south-, east- or west-facing, sheltered situation to reduce wind exposure and to help flowers and stems remain upright. Good drainage is important — the listed soil preference is well-drained loam — so avoid heavy, water-retentive ground on exposed sites. Use Iris 'Spiced Custard' where you need seasonal summer blooms: city and courtyard plots, cottage and informal schemes, patio containers and formal flower borders. It is also specified for cut-flower use, providing stems during its May to July flowering window, making it convenient for arranging when in bloom.

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 'Spiced Custard' (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