Overview

Iris unguicularis var. speciosa Dykes, 'Ellis' Variety' 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. It typically grows around 0.3 metres tall. Iris unguicularis var. speciosa Dykes, 'Ellis' Variety' 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 Algeria, Greece, Turkey, Western Syria and Tunisia.

About

Iris unguicularis var. speciosa Dykes, 'Ellis' Variety' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the Iridaceae that typically reaches around 0.3 metres. It bears sword-shaped to grassy leaves that are often glaucous and may be deciduous or evergreen. Suited to full sun or some partial shade, it prefers neutral to slightly alkaline, sharply drained soils such as loam, chalk or sand. In the UK it flowers from May to July.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Iris unguicularis

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 unguicularis var. speciosa Dykes, 'Ellis' Variety' is a clump-forming perennial native to Algeria, Greece, Turkey, Western Syria and Tunisia. As an upright, compact plant, it presents a low mound of sword-shaped to grassy foliage, often with a glaucous cast, and reaches roughly 0.3 metres in height. It is placed in the Iridaceae family and is suited to temperate garden conditions. Give this iris a sunny position where possible; it will tolerate some light afternoon shade but performs best in full sun. Soil should be neutral to slightly alkaline and sharply drained — loam, chalk or sandy mixes are appropriate — and it does not favour permanently waterlogged ground. Position on a south- or west-facing bank or border to maximise warmth and flowering. Exposure may be open or sheltered: the species copes across a range of site conditions. Hardiness falls between H5 and H7, meaning it is hardy through most UK winters and can be expected to survive in exposed as well as sheltered locations. Plant in groups for a compact display at the front of a border or on dry banks where free-draining soil prevails. Expect clumps to reach about 0.3 metres and to flower between May and July.

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 unguicularis var. speciosa Dykes, 'Ellis' Variety' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Habit

Clump-forming, upright

Foliage

Deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous

Height

0.3 metres

Native to

Algeria, Greece, Turkey, Western Syria, Tunisia

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Iris unguicularis var. speciosa Dykes, 'Ellis' Variety'

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

More in the Iris genus

• 
  Iris 'Antigone' (TB)
• 
  Iris 'Dauntless' (TB)
• 
  Iris 'Dipped in Dots' (TB)
• Iris 'Ablaze' (MDB)
• Iris 'After the Storm' (TB)
• Iris 'Aldo Ratti' (TB)
• Iris 'Alene's New Love' (SDB)iris 'Alene's New Love'
• Iris 'Alpine Lake' (MDB)