Iris 'Party Dress' (TB)

RHS Plant Profile
iris 'Party Dress'
iris 'Party Dress' RHS
Herbaceous Perennial

A rhizomatous, clump-forming perennial to 80cm tall with erect, glaucous foliage. Ruffled, fragrant flowers borne in summer have pale peach standards with deeper coloured falls, tangerine-orange beards and are suffused with burnished gold

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

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

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
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
Tall Bearded irises are herbaceous rhizomatous perennials to 70cm or more, with flowers 10-20cm across, bearded on the falls, in late spring and early summer

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, fertile, neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun; sun on the rhizomes will help to encourage flowering. See also bearded iris cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes from midsummer to early autumn; see dividing irises

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wall side borders
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove any dying foliage in autumn, old flower stems can be cut down after flowering. Tall cultivars can have their leaf fans trimmed to one third of the total height to reduce wind rock while the plants are establishing

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