About
An upright growing, deciduous, bulbous, perennial iris, maturing to approximately 50cm (20in) high and having a spread of 45cm (18in). It can be used in spring bedding schemes and in wildflower areas where it can be left to naturalise. It has pointed strap-shaped, light green leaves and in spring produces several flowers per stem, with three narrow standards in deep purple and three broad, bronze-purple falls with darker veination, each with a brilliant yellow eye. After the bulb has produced its foliage, flowered and completed its growth cycle, the foliage yellows and dies back in early summer.
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
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitColumnar upright, Clump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, 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
CultivationGrows in any well-drained soil, in full sun
PruningCut back old, flowered stems and foliage to the ground once it has died back in the summer
PropagationLift and separate smaller ‘daughter bulbs’ from the clump. Pot these small bulbs into 7.5cm (3in) pots with a mix of peat-free John Innes No. 2 compost and 10% horticultural grit by volume and grow on to flowering size. See bulb propagation
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf spots, ink disease, rust diseases, bulb rot and viruses; see Iris diseases for more details