Plant of the Month: Iris unguicularis (January 2024)

As much as I love this perennial and have planted many clumps over the years, I find it struggles in my clay soil. My now, one-and-only plant,  obviously needs more sun and perhaps lighter soil, as it has flowered perhaps only once this winter and that was on 23rd November, when I took the photograph below. But Margaret T’s winter irises have been really putting on a display, with her two clumps producing 2-3 flowers at a time, on and off since December.  And these will carry on flowering well into March. I’ve seen them flowering profusely when nestled against sunny, front elevations, in poor soil. But in Margaret T’s garden, the soil is rich from regular additions of compost and manure and you can see by her photograph that she has healthy, plump plants. 

These evergreens produce such beautifully, fragrant flowers, with either pale lavender, lilac or purple colouring and distinctive yellow stripes on each petal, for over such a long period throughout the winter.  So, with this in mind, I’m going to feed my plant in Spring with potash (and maybe autumn) once I’ve moved it to a sunnier location, with better drainage. Newly positioned in front of a Daphne would create an harmonious colour scene.    Not all is lost this winter, however, as I’ve just checked my Iris  and I am pleased to report that I actually have ONE fattening bud waiting to burst open next week!  Can’t wait.  It’s made my day!!!

Anna L