Iris spuria 'Orientalis'

I have to admit to absolutely loathing Iris' - until they flower :-0)) There is nothing more boring and hard on the eye than the spiky leaves of Iris in the winter. I would have never have planted them out of choice; until now that is. For the fist time in my gardening career have I really noticed Iris' in flower and been able to appreciate them. The French seem to love them. I have gone that little bit further and actually fallen for one. The picture is (I think) of Iris spuria Orientalis which is growing in the old cottage garden close to my house. The flower is so delicate and has a star like appearance. Maybe it is because I am seeing them in a semi-wild (used to be cultivated but now overgrown) state. Does anyone have any experience with these growing in a garden or planting in a scheme or design? I am going to lift a few in the autumn and plant them around the Pigeonnaire. I will try and get a picture of them in situ - these ones I picked yesterday on my walk. Click to enlarge images.

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Phil Voice May 16, 2009 at 1:01pm

Hi Mark

I don't really have an experience in judging plants by zones. I live in South West France where temperatures can easily get to minus 10-15 in winter and rise to +40 in the summer.

Pretty hardy I should imagine.

Phil
John Honeyman May 17, 2009 at 2:47pm

All, I can tell you is that wild Iris (Yellow Flag - Iris pseudacorus) is practically indestructable. You can split the rhizomes and they will come up anywhere except very deep water.
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Graeme @ BGS May 18, 2009 at 8:53am

Ohio Plantsman said:
What Zone hardiness is this plant?

I believe that the Uk and France could generally be classed as a zone 8 or 9. However with the change in weather patterns and micro climates in various areas who knows!