A name for Iris

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by Lysichiton, Jun 18, 2008.

  1. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

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    Doesn't have to be the variety - type of iris or species or generalizations welcomed. I love this plant & have lost the tag. Sad familiar story. As long as the suggestions are in Roman Characters I will be happy.

    70 cm tall. Narrow, rough, rolled, fibrous grass-like leaves. Bluey green colour goes all the way to ground level. The flowering stem has a slight zig-zag to it. The 3 tubes are fused.

    I remain baffled by Irises. they are lovely, but there are so many of them in several different groupings that they require a course of study to themselves.

    gb
     

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  2. Ispied

    Ispied Active Member

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    Possibly Dutch Iris/Iris x hollandica
     
  3. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Definitely a Dutch iris.
     
  4. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

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    Thanks. Now I can tell my Dutch Iris from my Bearded Iris & Dwarf Iris & Siberian Iris & my Flags (English-only name for the water loving kind). I like these because they seem pest & disease free in my garden & they last a long time compared with their fleshy, flashy Bearded cousins.

    gb
     
  5. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Iris pseudacorus is a significant pest species in North America and should no longer be cultivated here.
     
  6. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

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    Ron,.

    Thanks for reminding me. I bought the ones I have 2 years ago from a respected local pond nursery & never thought to inquire about invasiveness- found out shortly after. Ooops! They are safely contained at present & are destined for the high-temperature compost. So can you help me...I am looking for some replacement which likes to live with it's feet in the water & tolerates part shade. Any ideas?

    gb.
     
  7. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Although these were supposed to require a summer damp, winter dry SE Asian precipitation regime I was interested to find many years ago an assortment of Japanese irises growing apparently year-round under water in the Japanese garden at Butchart Gardens. There was also at one time quite a collection of Asian water irises in the Japanese garden at the Seattle arboretum.

    A nice Louisiana iris that was offered in recent years at local non-specialist outlets is Iris versicolor 'Gerald Darby'.
     
  8. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

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    Thank for the suggestions. The BC Invasive plant Council ( http://www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca ) has a brochure with alternatives for many invasives. For Iris pseudocorus they have Iris setosa (Wild flag iris) & Iris missouriensis (Western blue iris). Armed with this combined list I shall sally forth.

    gb.
     
  9. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    I. setosa has been rather prevalant in local outlets, I. missouriensis is not. Probably neither should be immersed - although I'm not sure about the first one. The second is a local (most intermountain) version of a Siberian iris. It does occur on Whidbey Island but otherwise is found mostly east of the mountains. The Japanese irises and relations are more beautiful and striking than either of these.
     
  10. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

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    Yes, I was hoping to find an Iris which tolerates root submergence. That's why the "sally forth" approach rather than buying over the net. I want to see the plants growing succesfully at the margin of, or in a pond. My pond has been prone to algae blooms. I do not filter or treat the water - too much work & equipment for my style of gardening. The Iris seems to work well as a sink/buffer for nutrients in the water.

    Thanks again. When I find an Iris that works here in SW BC I will follow-up.

    ...your fund of information continues to amaze me!

    gb.
     
  11. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Hit any water gardening specialists there may be in your area, they will have the iris displayed for sale in water. Garden centers here also have displays of aquatic plants.
     
  12. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

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    OK. Done. Invasive Iris pseudocorus replaced with Japanese Iris - Iris ensata "Imperial Magic". Now let's see if it grows with it feet in the water. That Yellow flag was about 6feet tall & spreading like a weed - roots 3 feet down into the water - Aagh!

    Thanks for pricking my conscience RonB. My garden looks better for it.

    gb.
     

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  13. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

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    Oh...BTW - the principal species of Iris being offered for wet areas by the garden centres around here remains Iris pseudocorus in both regular & variegated forms.

    So much for me worrying about it in my yard!

    gb.
     

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