Iris 'Black Gamecock' (La) | iris 'Black Gamecock'

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Synonyms

Iris louisiana 'Black Gamecock'

Herbaceous Perennial Bogs

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A moisture-loving plant that can be planted at the edges of a pond or streamside. It's bright green strap-like, sword shaped leaves persist in sheltered areas throught winter. In late spring/ early summer it produces stems, of up to 70cm, topped by velvety, deep purple flowers with a flash of golden yellow at the base of the petals

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Poorly–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Iris may be rhizomatous or bulbous perennials, with narrow leaves and erect stems bearing flowers with 3 large spreading or pendent fall petals, alternating with 3 erect, often smaller, standard petals, in late winter, spring or early summer
Name Status: Accepted
Horticultural Group

Horticultural Classification Codes

Horticultural Classification Codes are often given to genera which have a large number of species or cultivars. They are used to categorise cultivated plants based on specific, shared characteristics such as shape, colour, size or flowering time, and can be displayed as letters or numbers

For example:
Dahlia ‘Sunset Kate (Sin) = Single flower
Rosa ‘Marigold’ (HT) = Hybrid Tea: Louisiana Hybrid irises are rhizomatous perennials with beardless flowers 7-20cm across, borne several to each stem in spring and early summer

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in reliably damp soil that is rich in organic matter in a sun or partial shade. Can be grown as a marginal plant in ponds and along streamsides

Propagation

Propagate by division in late summer after flowering. See dividing irises

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Gravel garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required. Cut back faded flower stems after flowering. Remove withered leaves in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to aphid-borne viruses, bacterial soft rot and grey moulds; see Iris diseases