Iris 'Lion King' (Dut)

RHS Plant Profile
iris 'Lion King'
iris 'Lion King' visionspictures.com
Award of Garden Merit
Bulbs Herbaceous Perennial

A bulbous perennial, to 60cm tall, with narrow, linear mid green leaves, and in early summer bears flowers with slightly ruffled mahogany-red to copper coloured standards and golden-yellow falls with prominent mahogany-red veining and slightly ruffled margins

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
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
Dutch Iris are herbaceous bulbous perennials with narrow, channelled leaves and blue yellow or white flowers in late spring and early summer

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny position. See bulb iris cultivation for more information

Propagation

Propagate by division, separating bulb offsets from midsummer to early autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Foliage dies down naturally after flowering (summer dormant) so just pull away the foliage once dead and straw-brown

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to leaf spots, ink disease, rust diseases, bulb rot and viruses; see Iris diseases for more details