Iris foetidissima
Stinking gladioli, Gladwin iris, Roast beef plant
- Height × spread
- 0.46m × 0.6m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a shade-tolerant plant for difficult places and forms a clump of spiky, dark-green leaves. It is low key in effect but, like a trustworthy old friend, one greets it with relief as a companion for the difficult times. In midwinter, its arching green leaves, enlivened by flashes of orange seedpods, gladden the eye. The flowers are singularly unexciting but in the autumn the seed pods split to reveal rich clusters of orange seeds, which tend to stay <I>in situ</I> for some months. There is also green, fan-shaped foliage in the winter months.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Lilac, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Orange
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.46m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Shady court, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Rabbit resistant, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
Spring
Spring - early · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertliser around the plant in early Spring, scratching it into the ground. Keep rhizomes exposed.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Winter
Winter · Planting
Divide plant to maintain size every 5 years
Rhizomes can be divided, or clumps separated, discarding any weak or diseased parts and replanting the remainder. The rhizome sits below the soil.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Outdoors
Planting Iris rhizomes
Position in a hole with roots pointing down and the top half of the rhizome level with the soil surface. Fill soil around the roots, leave the top part bare of soil so it will be exposed to the summer sun (this ensures flowering).
Applies to summer flowering Iris germanica or Bearded iris. Not Iris siberica
Found in
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