Iris tingitana (Tangerian iris) — Clump-forming, upright

Overview

Iris tingitana is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous foliage. Iris tingitana grows best in full sun; some tolerate partial shade, and tolerates loam and chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds soils and neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5–H7. It is native to Morocco and Algeria.

About

Iris tingitana is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the iris family native to Morocco and Algeria. It carries sword-shaped leaves that are often glaucous and may be deciduous or evergreen. Flowering occurs in the UK from May to July. It prefers full sun on south- or west-facing, well-drained soils of neutral to slightly alkaline pH.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Iris tingitana

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

A clump-forming, upright perennial, Iris tingitana comes from Morocco and Algeria and belongs to the Iridaceae. The foliage ranges from sword-shaped to grassy and is often glaucous; plants may be deciduous or retain leaves through milder winters. Flowering in the UK is in May to July, when the stems rise above the leaf clumps. Give the plant a sunny, south- or west-facing position; some plants of this group will tolerate partial shade but flowering is best in full sun. Soil can be loam, chalk or sand but must be well drained — in related bearded types a sharply drained position is essential. Soil pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline. Exposure can be exposed or sheltered, and hardiness is rated H5–H7 (hardy to fully hardy), with an equivalent USDA range of 3–9. In practice, place Iris tingitana where drainage and aspect favour reliable spring flowering: open borders on chalky or sandy ground, gravel beds or sunny banks. The clump-forming habit produces a compact base of sword-shaped, often glaucous leaves from which the May–July flowering stems emerge, making seasonal impact across suitable UK sites.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Iris

Sunlight: Full sun; some tolerate partial shade
Soil type: Loam, chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Soil moisture: Well drained; Siberian and Japanese kinds need moisture-retentive soil
Aspect: South or west facing
Exposure: Exposed or sheltered
UK hardiness: H5–H7

Plant details

Iris tingitana size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, upright
Foliage: Deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous
Native to: Morocco, Algeria

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Iris tingitana

Cultivation: Plant bearded irises with the top of the rhizome exposed so it can bake in summer sun; beardless kinds sit just below the surface in richer, damper ground. Feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser after flowering and keep the rhizomes clear of mulch and encroaching neighbours.
Pruning: Remove spent flower stems at the base. Trim the outer leaves back by about half in late autumn to reduce overwintering fungal spores, leaving the central fan intact.
Propagation: Divide rhizomes six to eight weeks after flowering, discarding the old woody centre and replanting vigorous outer sections. Species come from seed, but named cultivars will not come true.
Pest resistance: Generally trouble-free, though iris sawfly and slugs damage foliage and thrips can disfigure buds.
Disease resistance: Prone to leaf spot, and to rhizome rot wherever drainage is poor or planting too deep.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Iris tingitana?

Plant bearded irises with the top of the rhizome exposed so it can bake in summer sun; beardless kinds sit just below the surface in richer, damper ground. Feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser after flowering and keep the rhizomes clear of mulch and encroaching neighbours.

Where is the best place to plant Iris tingitana?

Iris tingitana prefers full sun; some tolerate partial shade. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.

What soil does Iris tingitana need?

Iris tingitana grows best in loam and chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds soil. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays well drained; siberian and japanese kinds need moisture-retentive soil.

How do I prune Iris tingitana?

Remove spent flower stems at the base. Trim the outer leaves back by about half in late autumn to reduce overwintering fungal spores, leaving the central fan intact.

Is Iris tingitana hardy in the UK?

Iris tingitana has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.

How do I propagate Iris tingitana?

Divide rhizomes six to eight weeks after flowering, discarding the old woody centre and replanting vigorous outer sections. Species come from seed, but named cultivars will not come true.

More in the Iris genus

Browse all Iris →