Wild Flag Iris are easy to grow. The flowers are bright yellow, blue or purple. The seed heads show bright red seeds and are quite decorative.

Where to Plant

• Wild Flag grow in most damp borders but look best near ponds or streams.
• On the edge of a pond the roots will creep into the water and a large clump will grow.
• Wild Flag Iris will flower in a shady area providing a splash of colour when other plants are over.

Growing Tips

• Flag Iris grow from horizontally growing Rhizomes.
• Buy plump roots without soft mushy parts. Cut foliage down to 3- 4″ before planting.
• Keep new plants well watered.
• Top dress in autumn with good compost.
• Increase your stock by dividing the root in late summer after blooming has finished.
• Sow fresh seed in late summer but it may take 3 years to bloom.

Varieties and Colours

• Iris pseudacorus has yellow or golden blooms up to 4 feet tall.
• Iris pseudacorus variegata has cream stripes in the green leaves.
• Iris virginica is a small growing blue iris.
• Iris versicolour rosea has lilac-pink flowers.

 

Avoid Stinking Iris feotidissima

I know it is a Maple leaf and not an Iris but it amused me.

Upgrading Iris
I renovated my Iris last September. The centre was woody and no longer producing flowers.
I cut out old material and planted new lengths of Rhizome in rows laid flat like a cigar.
I made sure they would get the sun by only half burying them and running rows East to West.
I will be interested to see what the result is like in a few weeks time.
It was a great way to increase my stock

This year I must try to be a bit tidier when I reduce the flags to stop wind rock