Iris (I’ris) is a large genus of mostly hardy flowering plants most with perennial rootstocks or bulbs.
Irises grow wild in temperate countries in the Northern Hemisphere. Most Irises bloom in May and June.
The structure of Iris flowers differs from most plants. The three outer perianth segments (petals) known as falls hang down; the other three stand erect and are known as standards.
Tucked away in forgotten corners of many gardens are plants of the butterfly iris. Given scant attention and care, these plants faithfully reward their owners with a short but glorious bloom period every spring. For some decades, the butterfly iris, or spuria, has been a neglected member of the iris family. But this will no … Read more
One of the outstanding features of the iris family is its long season of bloom. In the early spring, while the weather is still cool, the violet-blue flowers of Iris atroviolacea open close to the ground. This is a charming form that has been in cultivation for over 100 years. Ten days later, the many … Read more
Modern bearded iris is probably the most spectacular and desirable of all late-blooming spring perennials in eastern Massachusetts. The flowers are large, of beautiful form, and in magnificent colors ranging from black purple through the spectrum to pure white, including the newest color break approaching true pink. These are a far cry from the rather … Read more
Growing in my garden for several years, an iris of good quality produced purple flowers with yellow-bearded falls. During the past season, most of the flower stalks of the plant also made flowers true to type. However, one of the rhizome branches had white flowers, tinged slightly with purple, and another one had flowers, each … Read more
Our section of Idaho is irrigated country, and to us who garden here, it presents its particular problems. I am an iris enthusiast. These flowers are one of the most beautiful and satisfactory of all perennials. No matter where the iris is planted, they must be set high enough so no water will ever stand … Read more
Babiana (ba-bee-AN-uh) is a bulbous perennial belonging to the genus Babiana and from the iris family, Iridaceae. The genus name Babiana is derived from the Dutch word “baviaan” and the Latin name “babiaan’s,” which means baboon. It also refers to the old-world primates or monkeys (African monkey) that would dig and eat the Babiana’s corms, … Read more
When dwarf iris enthusiast discusses their favorite subject, they usually have the dwarf beardless or native types in mind, and they usually qualify their enthusiasm by some such phrase as “Once you have found a way of growing them…” But why do they neglect the dwarf bearded types, which need no qualifying reservations whatsoever? I … Read more
Here’s an iris that tells time! At three o’clock every day from late July to frost, the 2″ inch flowers open into colorful gems of blue, lavender, or wine color, some enhanced by orange, mahogany, or tyrian markings on the attractive falls. Bigger And Better By careful crossing and selection, the height of the vesper … Read more
Deep in the swamps of south Louisiana grows a horticultural treasure that has all the brilliance of precious jewels. Whence this fabulous Louisiana iris came, or when, no one knows. It was in the late 1920s that Dr. John K. Small of The New York Botanical Garden first brought these swamp beauties to the attention … Read more
Summary: Bearded iris provides gardens with a rainbow of color from late May and early June. What color combinations will you use? If you want a rainbow in the garden in late May and early June, plant plenty of tall bearded iris. There was a time when the tall bearded iris found its place in … Read more