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    • Photo of Iris unguicularis flower by Secret Garden Growers

    Photo by Secret Garden Growers

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Iris unguicularis

    Also Known As

    • Iris stylosa
    • Algerian Iris
    • Winter Iris
    • Winter-blooming Algerian Iris

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 12"-18"
    • W: 16"-20"

    planting zones

    • 7a-10b

    More Options

    Iris unguicularis plant details

    Iris unguicularis is a broadleaf evergreen perennial with green foliage. In spring and winter lavender flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty, lean, rich, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Iris unguicularis

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: iridaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 16 IN - 20 IN - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
    Flowers: lavender blooms in spring and winter
    Uses: clumping, cutting garden, edging plant, fragrant, honey-scented, lemon-scented, rare, rock garden, vanilla-scented

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Iris unguicularis

    USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
    Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
    Watering frequency: occasional - low
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, lean, rich, rocky and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Rare & precious, this tough little iris blooms anytime October and March. Grassy foliage in clumps 18" high and wide is evergreen, lavender beardless iris flowers are especially beautiful during the grim months of winter…if cut and brought indoors, one flower will infuse an entire room with its honey-lemon-vanilla scent! Enjoys a hot and dry location and thrives in most soils that are not too wet. Seems to thrive on neglect!

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    The early blue-mauve flowers of this species make a brilliant addition to the late winter/early spring garden. Best in a warm, sheltered, well-drained, sunny spot against the house wall and out of the rain where you'll ignore it -- it hates to be fussed over. Forms a good clump of evergreen spiked foliage that looks best in fall and winter. Hails form the Mediterranean. Fragrant.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    Marion Jarvie gave us this blue form a few years back, a winter blooming species, native to North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean on rocky hills, this well known species was formerly called Iris stylosa. ZONE 7

    By: Arrowhead Alpines

    Delightful winter blooming iris. Does not like wet feet, but otherwise carefree.

    By: Specialty Ornamentals

    Nothing like this evergreen Mediterranean prize. This blooms depending on the weather as early as November but generally the main flowering is in February with short-stemmed good-sized light lavender blue flowers. We cut the leaves back to 6" in Nov to best see the flowers. Newly potted strong divisions.

    By: Far Reaches Farm

    It is always a surprise to see this Iris come into bloom in the Fall, when very little else brings color to a dry garden. The delicate blue flowers look like the CA native Iris douglasii but appear strangely low to the ground as they are carried on 6” flower tubes & do not have real stems. They still make lovely miniature cut flowers & its scent is more noticeable indoors. With an origin in lightly shaded & rocky areas in the Mediterranean, it grows without additional water in a CA shade garden. In colder areas, grow in sun against a south facing wall. The 12-18" leaves stay evergreen without water, but you can cut them back in Summer to make the blooms more visible. Try placing it where you can look down on it from a higher window. Protect against slug damage, by spreading a little Sluggo around the plants in the Fall.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Most welcomed in November through March, the pale lavender flowers on 8" stems are nestled in clumping foliage 16" tall.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Gardening facts about Iris unguicularis plant

    How to Grow Iris unguicularis

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - dappled shade

    • Water Needs

      • occasional - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • adaptable
      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • rich
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • lavender

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Flower Season

      • winter
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • grassy

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