Which Iris should I plant?

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Where to position different species of Iris plants:

Pond shelf Iris will all grow with water over their crown:

Iris emerging from below water level allow dragon and damselfly larvae to use the tall leaf growth to climb up and out of the pond water to emerge as adults.

Pseudacorus will take more water than the others and will also cope if you plant them in wet mud <p>Suitable for waterlogged soil (wet mud)</p>. Versicolor and Louisiana varieties want less water over the top of the basket and will also grow in wet mud.

Iris robusta Dark Aura will grow well in waterlogged soil <p>Suitable for waterlogged soil (wet mud)</p> with its crown at ground level but able to withstand water around its roots and a small amount of flooding over its crown in Winter.  It will also grow in good moist conditions <p>Suitable for moist soil (damp but drained)</p> so it is very versatile.

Other Irises:

These will NOT grow submerged in water with their roots in wet waterlogged soil in winter.

  • sibirica Iris will not grow in water - moist soil only
  • ensata - will handle wet soil in Summer but not in Winter
  • Iris robusta Dark Aura will grow in moist or muddy soil

There can be one variety or another in flower from May - July if Iris are planted in the sun. Starting with the versicolor and sibirica, then the ensata, laevigata and pseudacorus through June to the last Louisiana Iris in July.

This is a family of plants that will give much colour and flower shapes to enjoy over a long period of time if you give each one the conditions it enjoys.