Iris × robusta 'Gerald Darby'

RHS Plant Profile
iris 'Gerald Darby'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Iris × robusta 'Gerald Darby'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
iris 'Gerald Darby' RHS
iris 'Gerald Darby' RHS 2001

Synonyms

Iris laevigata 'Gerald Darby'
Iris 'Gerald Darby'
Iris versicolor 'Gerald Darby'

Bogs Herbaceous Perennial
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
31 Suppliers

A rhizomatous perennial to 1.2m in height, with arching, narrow leaves and purplish stems bearing 3-4 violet-purple flowers, the falls whitish at the base with a yellow flash and dark veins

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–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)
H7

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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist to wet, deep, humus-rich, acid soil; thrives at the margins of ponds or streams

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes from midsummer to early autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove any dying foliage, old flower stems can be cut down after flowering

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