A clump-forming, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial with sword-shaped grey-green leaves. Large, ruffled sky-blue flowers with yellow beards appear from late spring to early summer
Position
Soil Types
Max Height
0.5-1 metres
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
A clump-forming, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial with sword-shaped grey-green leaves. Large, ruffled sky-blue flowers with yellow beards appear from late spring to early summer
0.5-1 metres
0.1-0.5 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Grow in well-drained, fertile, neutral to slightly acidic soil in full sun. Do not cover the rhizomes with mulch, or allow other plants to shade them; sun on the rhizomes encourages flowering. Give a high potash feed in spring and divide every three to four years. See also bearded iris cultivation
Propagate by division of rhizomes from midsummer to early autumn, see dividing irises
Remove any dying foliage in autumn, old flower stems can be cut down after flowering
May be susceptible to aphid-borne viruses, bacterial soft rot and grey moulds; see Iris diseases
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