Himalayan Crested Iris

Rarely offered in cultivation this is a must for collectors and Iris enthusiasts. Iris milesii makes an impressive garden plant.

From early summer this Crested Iris produces tall, branching scapes of lilac purple flowers high above the leaves. Each bloom stretches 6-8cm across and has incredible detailing with deeper purple markings and a gold crest. Up to four flowers can open on each 30-90cm stem. Each bloom lasts just a few days but there are several that open for up to ten weeks from established bulbs in favourable conditions.

The fleshy green rhizomes grow close to the soil level, producing fans of around eight, soft green, sword shaped leaves. These leaves grow 30-60cm tall and create a nice, lush effect once they settle in and colonise an area. Each ribbed leaf is 3-7cm across.

Ideal in pots, rockeries or a special place in the garden.

Plant Iris milesii into a compost rich soil with good drainage in a full sun to part shade position. They grow naturally at the edge of woodland areas and open meadows in the mountains of India, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and China where they happily form colonies. Hardy to -15C.

After each flowering, the stem should be removed so the plant can focus its growth on rhizomes rather than seed production (seed multiplication is slower and less reliable). The rhizomes shoot laterally for the following season. Winter dormant with the new growth shooting late spring to summer. The flowers are self fertile. Rhizomes tend to rot in boggy soils.

Iris milesii, commonly Crested Iris, Water Bird Iris,