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Herbaceous Perennial

Iris 'Attention Please' (TB)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

iris 'Attention Please'

A rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial, up to 70m high in flower, with glaucous, sword-shaped leaves and scented, bold, bicoloured, deep-violet and white, slightly frilled flowers and golden yellow beards, in summer.

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Chalk
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver Blue
Summer Purple White Gold Green Grey Silver Blue
Autumn Green Grey Silver Blue
Winter Green Grey Silver Blue
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Iridaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen or 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
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 alkaline loam in full sun, with upper part of rhizomes exposed. See bearded iris cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes from midsummer to early autumn, every 3-4 years, see dividing irises

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Gravel garden
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Architectural
  • Wall side borders
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

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

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails, iris thrip and iris sawfly

Diseases

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

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