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Bulbs

Iris xiphium

Spanish iris

A vigorous, clump-forming, bulbous perennial with lance-shaped leaves. In late spring to early summer each bulb produces two flowers, usually pale to deep blue or violet, occasionally white or yellow, with an orange or yellow mark on each fall

Other common names

clouded iris
Dutch iris
see moresmall bulbous iris
Spanish flag
thunderbolt iris

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0–0.1 metre

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Iridaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Iris may be rhizomatous or bulbous perennials, with narrow leaves and erect stems bearing flowers with 3 large spreading or pendent fall petals, alternating with 3 erect, often smaller, standard petals, in late winter, spring or early summer
Name status: Correct
Plant range: W & C Mediterranean

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained neutral or slightly alkaline soil

Propagation

Lift and propagate by division in early autumn. Propagate by seed; sow seeds in cold frame in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove the foliage once it has died down

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to aphid-borne viruses, bacterial soft rot and grey moulds; see Iris diseases

Get involved

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