Spuria Iris are the tallest of all Iris. They prefer a dry summer so are well suited to many areas of Australia except for areas with high humidity. We often wonder why these hardy plants are not so readily available for sale and are not more widely grown in Australian gardens, they are hardy, disease resistant and require very little care at all.
They flower over a long period before dying back in summer, and no watering in summer is a bonus in many areas.
They will reshoot in autumn, so foliage over winter is another bonus.
If you are using these for cut flowers, cut them just when the blooms begin to open for the longest lasting flowers.
Care
Spuria Iris are a tall growing Iris to 1.5m elegant flowers and attractive foliage, they can be planted a little towards the back of the perennial border where the foliage adds interest before flowering.
Well drained soil and full sun are best conditions. Leave undisturbed and allow to form large clumps for a great display. Plant the rhizomes at around 10cm deep and water well when establishing.
Well rotted compost dug into the soil before planting will be beneficial to growth. Spuria Iris make good cut flowers, and cut before the bloom opens.
Fertiliser
They are heavy feeders, so lots of general purpose fertilizer each spring, the slow release, high phosphate type works well. And a little extra care information, remember that most spuria species are summer dormant (but not all), so for most a dry summer is essential, with no extra watering will help prevent the possibility of root rot.
Propagation
Usually by division in late summer to autumn after the foliage has died back. After dividing you may find that they do not flowers for the first year.
When dividing, cut back any foliage to around 10m to 15 cms. This lessens the demand on the root system and allows the plant to settle in without the risk of falling over.
Problems
- Not Flowering Spuria Iris do not like to be moved and take 2 years to flower after being shifted. They also like full sun in summer, or they may not flower, so they are not really suited for a heavily shaded position.
- They are also best in areas of low humidity as the new growth in autumn is prone to fungal problems in areas of high humidity. Good air flow can assist in such conditions, or consider using a fungicide.
Other Iris of interest
- Algerian Iris
- Siberian Iris
- Bearded Iris
- Dwarf Bearded Iris
- Dutch Iris
- Iris histriodes
- Iris pallida
- Iris pseudacorus
- Iris reticulata
- Japanese Roof Iris
- Louisiana Iris
- Pacific Coast Iris
- Spuria Iris
- Japanese Iris
- Species Iris
- Iris plants for sale
Available for sale from the following growers
BOLONG IRIS and DAYLILY FARM phone: 02 69 201433
5232 Olympic Highway – 26kms south of Wagga Wagga. The Rock NSW 2655
Over 500 different varieties of Iris and Daylily plants. Orders for bulbs (Rhizomes)can be taken online or you can visit our display gardens