Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Brown Blue | Grey Silver Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Grey Silver Green | |||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical 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
- Standard Dwarf Bearded irises are rhizomatous perennials 20-40cm tall, with flowers 5-7cm across, bearded on the falls, in late spring or early summer
How to grow
Cultivation
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
Propagation
Propagate by division, see dividing irises
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Remove any dying foliage in autumn, old flower stems can be cut down after flowering
Pests
Diseases
May be susceptible to leaf spots, rust diseases, rhizome rot and viruses; see Iris diseases for more details
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.