Iris paradoxa
unusual iris
I. paradoxa is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, 10-25cm high, with narrow leaves 2-4mm wide, and flowers in spring or early summer. The erect standards may be white, veined with deep blue-violet, to uniform deepest purple, pale blue or pale yellow; the somewhat horizontal falls may be blackish-violet, through pale purple densely overlaid with black-purple veins, to golden yellow, and the beards are velvety black-purple; it is dormant in late summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Blue | Black Blue Purple Yellow White | Green Blue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Blue | Black Blue Purple Yellow White | Green Blue | |
| Autumn | Green Blue | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Ingestion may cause severe discomfort. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
- 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
Unresolved
- Plant range
- E Turkey, N Iran, Caucasus
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in very well-drained soil, in full sun, and with the top surfaces of the rhizomes exposed so that they get baked in summer sun, which encourages flowering; best grown in a bulb frame or alpine house in containers using gritty, free-draining compost, and kept dry during late summer and winter
Propagation
Propagate by seed, or by division of rhizomes after flowering; for more advice, see dividing irises
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Remove old flower stems after flowering, and any dying foliage
Pests
May be affected by iris sawfly, aphids, leaf miners, slugs, snails, and wireworms
Diseases
May be affected by virus diseases, iris rhizome rot, iris leaf spot, scorch, and a rust; for more advice see iris diseases
Get involved
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