Iris 'Witch of Endor' (TB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Witch of Endor' (TB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Witch of Endor' (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 'Witch of Endor' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae that flowers from May to July. It has deciduous foliage and prefers a sunny, sheltered situation. Plant into a neutral, well-drained loam on a south-, east- or west-facing site for best performance.

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 'Witch of Endor' is a cultivated iris within the genus Iris (Iridaceae), grown as a clump-forming herbaceous perennial for its early summer blooms. Foliage is deciduous, so leaves die back after the season and the plant remains recognisably clump-forming through spring and summer. Flowering runs from May to July, supplying a run of colour through late spring into midsummer. Site selection should favour full sun in a sheltered spot; choose a south-, east- or west-facing aspect to give the blooms the warm conditions they prefer. Use a neutral loam with good drainage: heavy wet soils are unsuitable because they retain moisture around the roots. The cultivar has an H6 hardiness rating, which equates to very hardy in typical UK gardens and means it will survive normal winter temperatures without winter protection in most areas. Iris 'Witch of Endor' suits formal borders and mixed beds as well as containers and courtyard planting where its clump-forming habit can be shown off. It is also suitable for cutting: stems produced in its May to July season make effective summer vase flowers. Position it where the flowering season can be enjoyed close to patios or windows, as its blooms are at their best when cut at opening stage for indoor display.

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 'Witch of Endor' (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