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Plant some Iris & discover why they’re legends in the garden!

Make the most of this wonderful time of year to plant some noteworthy members of one of the greatest ‘families’ in the plant kingdom - the Iris family. They make wonderful garden plants - so undemanding, versatile, beautiful and, as you might easily guess, they’re available in all the colours of the rainbow. Here are some of our favourites for planting in Winter and Spring.
The Iris are amongst the most beloved of all plants, they inspire unequalled passion in gardeners, photographers, authors, artists and poets and have done so for many thousands of years.

In ancient Greek mythology Iris was the messenger of the gods. She travelled on the arc of the rainbow bearing messages between earth, sea and sky. Our modern iris flowers still echo the glowing spectrum of Iris’ aerial pathway and the rainbow’s symbolic message of hope” Graeme Grosvenor in “Iris - flower of the Rainbow” by (1997. Kangeroo Press. Australia)

Japanese Iris - For oriental flair and tranquillity

I.kaempheri
These Iris - natives of Japan - are amongst the most enchanting of all Iris. Their sublime elegance brings an almost magical tranquillity which settles on a garden in which these Iris bloom. It’s for this reason that these beauties remain one of our favourite Iris.
Traditionally they were grown on the margins of a reflecting pool so that their beauty was amplified or, in more rural areas, they were grown on the sides of the rice paddies which were flooded for part of the year. It’s this pattern of moisture during the growing period and relative dryness during the dormancy which provided the ideal growing conditions for these magnificent Iris. However, these versatile Iris can easily be grown in almost any garden settings provided you water them regularly, feed them generously and plant them in full sun. Hints:

Feed generously and keep the soil free of lime for best results.
For the quickest multiplication of these rhizomes, dig and divide the clumps every 3 or 4 years.
If desired, you can have these iris submerged in a pond in the traditional way but you must remove the pot after flowering since the rhizomes like good drainage during their annual dormancy.

For more information visit the Japanese Iris growing guide.

Gold Spring flowering Iris

Morea spathulata
Although this golden beauty is not strictly an Iris it is very closely related (it’s often called the “South African Iris”) and still belongs to the botanical Iris family.
You’ll easily appreciate the glowing beauty of this golden Iris because it flowers in late Winter to early Spring when there’s little colour in the garden to compete with. You’ll find this Iris wonderfully useful for getting the Spring show of colour off to an early start. You’ll also be able to enjoy the golden blooms in vases since they make excellent cut flowers.
Like the Japanese Iris, this one is quite at home when planted close to water. In South Africa it is often found growing wild along the embankments of streams - sometimes semi-submerged in the flowing waters. Again however, this unassuming Iris is very easy going and can be grown in almost any well drained soil in full sun.
For more information visit the Japanese Iris growing guide.

Dwarf Winter flowering Iris (also known as the Algerian Iris)

I.stylosa or I.unguicularis.
The dwarf Winter flowering Iris (or ‘Winter Iris’) are one of the true treasures of the Winter garden. They’re simply charming and make a most welcome and colourful addition to an otherwise dull Winter garden.
There are few pleasures that compare to the unexpected one enjoyed when you chance upon a clump of these delicate blooms in full flower on a cold and dull Winter day. These iris are native to the coarse, impoverished soils of the Mediterranean region and so are relatively tough and require little food or attention. Even when left to their own devices they will reliably develop into large and colourful clumps.
There are two varieties which we think are particularly “garden worthy”. One of them is ‘Mia’ which has dwarf foliage to ensure that the intense deep blue flowers are highly visible and enjoyable. ‘Mia’ is available in our Winter catalogues.
The other variety which is particularly lovely is the white form ‘Alba’. This form has luxuriously thick and velvety petals in sparkling white that add light and life to any Winter garden display. ‘Alba’ is available now through our Spring catalogue.
For more information visit the Japanese Iris growing guide.

Wild Iris

Dietes
Wild Iris have been hugely popular with landscapers for decades and it’s no secret why because these plants are amongst the toughest you’ll ever find! They tolerate an incredible range of conditions without any fuss and still manage to flower for month after month! We think of these Iris as the “grow anywhere Iris”.
Note: Although they are not strictly “Iris”, Dietes are very closely related and commonly referred to as Iris.
We’ve enjoyed a continuous parade of pretty blooms from these plants even when they’ve been situated in seemingly impossible situations (such as deep shade and soggy soils). Better still, they seem to require no care whatsoever! It’s this toughness, combined with dainty flowers, that makes these Iris so popular with landscape designers and, in more recent years, with home gardeners who are discovering their usefulness!
Two wild Iris are available through our current Spring 2000 mail order catalogue For more information visit the Japanese Iris growing guide.
Further references: “Iris - flower of the Rainbow” by Graeme Grosvenor 1997 Kangeroo Press Australia

Last Reviewed: 18/02/2004 9:33:41 AM

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