Iris 'Up in Flames' (TB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Up in Flames' (TB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Up in Flames' (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 'Up in Flames' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the iris family with deciduous, sword-like leaves and an upright spring–summer bloom. It flowers from May to July, making it a useful source of early summer stems. Plant in a sunny, well-drained neutral loam on a sheltered south-, east- or west-facing aspect. Suited to borders, containers and courtyards and also grown for cut blooms.

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 'Up in Flames' sits in the Iridaceae and grows as a clump-forming herbaceous perennial with deciduous foliage. Its flowering season runs from May to July, placing it among the early summer contributors to mixed borders and container schemes. The cultivar habit and flowering window suit cutting for vases during that period. Choose a site in full sun with neutral loam that drains freely; waterlogged winter soils will reduce vigour. A sheltered position on a south-, east- or west-facing aspect will protect emerging shoots and reduce wind damage to the erect flower stems. The plant has been assigned a UK hardiness of H6, meaning it is very hardy and tolerates typical mainland UK winters when planted in a well-drained position. Iris 'Up in Flames' works well in city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal beds, patio containers and traditional flower borders. Allow space for the clump to expand and avoid sites that remain cold and sodden through winter. Flowers from May to July provide reliable material for cutting, so keep stems for indoor arrangements while the clump retains strong leaf growth in spring.

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 'Up in Flames' (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