Brief outlines of the main Beardless Iris groups are given below.
SIBERIAN IRIS These are the well-known siberian iris of the borders. They will grow happily in almost any soil as long as they are watered until established. Whilst they prefer a sunny site, they will usually give a good show in part shade. As well as the range of colours, some are available with six falls (ie the three standards are bent down to act like an second set of falls - see Iris 'Helicopter' below). Recent breeding in the U.S. has added more petals to give amazing effects, though many people still prefer the simplicity of the traditional iris shape.
 Iris sibirca 'Emma Repika' |
 Iris sibirica 'Helicopter' |
 Iris sibirica 'Shaker's Prayer' |
JAPANESE IRIS (Iris ensata) There are many cultivars of Japanese Iris, but very few are ever readily available in the UK. These are moisture loving irises, but will make themselves at home in an ordinary border if organic matter is incorporated to make the bed more retentive and provide extra nutrients to these hungry feeders. They are generally unhappy on alkaline soil and prefer a sunny position. The Japanese Iris can have the largest flower of the iris family, upto 30cm across being possible. Cultivar heights can vary, as can the size and shape of flower.
 Iris ensata "Aldridge Prelude" |
 Iris ensata "Pink Frost" |
 Iris ensata "Midnight Whisper" |
PACIFIC COAST IRIS These smaller irises come in a good colour range and make long-lived clumps of evergreen grassy foliage. They generally dislike alkaline soils, and are best in sun or light shade with good drainage. Because of their mixed parentage, plants can differ in habit but most on sale in the UK should be hardy. Some leaf-mould or garden compost mixed into the soil at planting time will be appreciated.
 PCI Seedling |
 PCI Seedling |
 "Blue Ballerina" |
IRIS FOETIDISSIMA This evergreen iris is well known for its colour pods of berries in winter; usually orange, but also white and yellow varieties are available. A very tolerant plant which will enjoy good soil and sun, but will also grow in dry shade beneath trees (if you remember to water until it is established!). As you can see below the flower colour can also vary.
 Iris foetidissima |
 Iris foet. 'Citrina' |
IRIS LAEVIGATA Iris laevigata is used frequently in ponds, because it is one of the few irises which will grow reliably in shallow water. It can also be grown in damp soil. Flowers are usually blue, white or a combination as in 'Colchesterensis' below.
 Iris laevigata 'Variegata' |
 Iris laevigata 'Colchesterensis' |
LOUISIANA IRIS These can have exceedly beautiful flowers is a range of colours. They are moisture lovers, but have met with mixed success in the UK. Iris brevicaulis (purple), I. fulva (brick red) and I. nelsonii (purple) are considered easy, but the recent hybrids are the show stoppers. Unfortunately, many seem to be too tender to flower reliably in the UK, but some cultivars have been grown successfully and further hybridising using these plants holds great promise. Have a go!
 Louisiana Iris |
 Iris x fulvala |
IRIS RETICULATA Provide welcoming clumps of spring colour in a variety of cultivars. Easy in sunny position with a well-drained soil.
IRIS SETOSA Easy plants from seed looking like smaller I. sibiricas in any moist acidic soil in sun or part shade.
 Iris setosa seedling |
SPURIA IRIS Spuria iris have similar shaped flowers to Dutch iris, but can be much taller and flower in June. Plants make large long-lived clumps and range in size from the diminutive I. graminea, the Plum Tart iris so called because of its pleasing fragrance of stewed plums, to the large 'Shelford Giant' reaching some 6' (180cm). They are best in a sunny position and will appreciate extra compost being added to the soil prior to planting.
 Spuria seedling |
 Spuria seedling |
IRIS UNGUICULARIS These small irises can give a touch of colour during the winter when most of other plants are dormant. Coming from N. Africa and the Mediterranean it needs a free draining south facing site. It is often grown by a house wall. They can also be used as a cut flower. Colour range from lavender through to violet and pink.
IRIS VERSICOLOR Iris versicolor is easy to grow in any moisture retentive soil and is best in a sunny position. Try it near a pool for a very natural effect.
 'Between the Lines' |
 'Vernal' |
 'Mint Fresh' |
IRIS VIRGINICA Another iris originating from moisture positions, but that can generally grow in normal garden soil. Usually with reasonably large blue flowers, but still subtle enough for a natural effect.
INTERSPECIES CROSSES
Whilst this is the last item on the page, it is probably the most exciting. It is relatively early days in the development of the newer interspecies crosses, but already some of the potential can be seen.
 'calsibe seedling' |
 'Sibtosa Princess' |
 'Chrytosa hybrid' |
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