IRIS
Named from the Greek for rainbow. It symbolises life and resurrection. It is also thought that the French fleur-de-lys is a representation of this flower.
Genus of about 300 species of upright rhizomatous or bulbous perennials from a wide range of habitats in the northern hemisphere.
Rhizomatous irises have stout rootstocks on or very close to the surface. Bearded irises have rootstocks on the surface, beardless have them just under the surface. The bulbous irises, which also have fleshy roots, fall into 3 groups, Reticulata, Juno and Xiphium.
Water irises (Laevigata) thrive in damp places and include the UK native I. pseudacorus, the yellow flag.
Our other native, I. foetidissima, stinking iris (curious rather than stinking) or gladdon is a dull blue or buff-yellow flower of hedgebanks, damp woods and sea cliffs.
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Deciduous - mostly deciduous, dying back completely or to a fan of short leaves.
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Herbaceous - Early in the year, typically January till end of March, herbaceous plants might be supplied in 9cm pots to ensure timely despatch. - upright rhizomatous, bulbous, some fleshy rooted perennials.
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Hardy - cold winter - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F) -
Harmful if eaten - These will give you an upset tummy, so please don't eat any of these. -
May cause skin allergy or irritant - Having skin or eye contact with these plants could result in an allergic reaction, burning or rash.
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Additional Features - Good to know - - grown for the colourful, sometimes spectacular flowers. -
Place of origin - northern hemisphere. -
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Hardiness - Fully hardy -
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Wildlife - Rabbit Resistant -
- Dividing Herbaceous Perennials - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring Planting Osteospermums - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dividing Summer Perennials - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dividing summer flowering Hemerocallis - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Summer propagation - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Self-seeding aquilegia - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Supporting Plants - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dead heading meconopsis - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dead heading Delphiniums - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Feeding herbaceous peonies - Video Tip ondemand_video
Buy Varieties of IRIS
IRIS chrysographes >
IRIS foetidissima >
Commonly known as: Gladdon, Stinking gladwyn, Stinking iris.
IRIS sibirica 'Butter and Sugar' >
Commonly known as: Siberian flag.
IRIS sibirica 'Ruffled Velvet' >
Commonly known as: Siberian flag.
IRIS unguicularis >
Commonly known as: Algerian iris.
