Plants in family iridaceae
Gelasine elongata
Gelasine elongata is a South American plant with foliage resembling a small sabal palm. It features pleated grey-green leaves and produces 20-inch tall stalks with clusters of dark violet-blue flowers in May and June.
Iris pseudacorus
Iris pseudacorus, also known as the yellow flag iris, is a medium-sized plant with bright yellow flowers and long, sword-like leaves. Native to Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa, it thrives in both dry land and standing water, making it versatile for various garden settings. This iris is important for wildlife, providing habitat for endangered species like the corncrake in western Scotland. However, it can be invasive outside its native range. The plant is used in water treatment for nutrient uptake and can tolerate high salinity levels. Its petals and stem are toxic, so caution is advised when handling.
Sisyrinchium tinctorium
Sisyrinchium tinctorium, native to Mexico, is a compact plant with narrow, iris-like leaves and bright yellow flowers that bloom from early spring to summer. It thrives in well-drained soil and can withstand temperatures just above freezing, making it suitable for mild climates.
Iris setosa
Iris setosa is a dwarf clump iris with small dark violet flowers, native to Arctic regions and northeastern Asia. It blooms in shades of violet, purple-blue, and occasionally pink and white, from June to July. This rhizomatous perennial is hardy to USDA Zone 3-7 and prefers moist or wet soils.
Gladiolus dalenii
Gladiolus dalenii is a striking flowering plant from the iris family, known for its tall 40-inch flower spikes that bloom in early July. The flowers, which are a favorite of hummingbirds, feature soft yellow lower petals and soft peach upper petals. This species is widely distributed from South Africa to western Arabia and is a main parental species of large flowering grandiflora hybrids. It thrives in light sandy soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7 and requires a sunny, sheltered position.
Iris tridentata
Iris tridentata, a little-known bog iris, is native to the southeastern United States and thrives in wet habitats. It features thin green leaves and 2-foot tall stalks with medium lavender flowers that bloom in late May. This rhizomatous perennial prefers acidic soils and can grow in part-shaded areas. Its fragrant flowers and rapid growth make it a desirable plant for wetland gardens.
Iris verna var. smalliana
Iris verna var. smalliana is a native perennial of the southeastern United States, thriving in rocky woodlands. It forms a small mound of 6-8 inch tall leaves, with medium blue flowers featuring an orange throat on 8-inch tall stalks. This iris is well-suited for part sun to shade conditions and is resistant to rabbits.
Iris graminea
Iris graminea is a rhizomatous perennial native to southern Europe, known for its purple or violet-blue flowers with a plum-scented fragrance. It features grass-like leaves longer than its flowering stems and blooms in spring and summer. This plant prefers well-drained, fertile soils and full sun to partial shade.
Iris tectorum 'China Blue'
Iris tectorum 'China Blue' is a striking selection of the wild Iris tectorum, known for its dark blue-purple flowers that bloom in April. This plant forms clumps that reach 18 inches tall and 2 feet wide, offering improved size and vigor compared to typical species. It is a robust perennial that adds a splash of color to gardens and is well-suited for a variety of landscape settings. Its unique coloration and growth habit make it a standout choice for iris enthusiasts.
Sisyrinchium 'Album'
Sisyrinchium 'Album' is a perennial plant with white star-shaped flowers and grass-like foliage. It blooms in late spring, adding a delicate touch to sunny garden areas.
Iris sibirica 'Double Standards'
Iris sibirica 'Double Standards' is a deciduous plant known for its rich violet blue flowers with double the normal number of upright petals. This iris grows 34 inches tall and blooms in late April, preferring average to moist soils. 'Double Standards' is a captivating addition to gardens, offering a striking floral display with contrasting eye zones of dusty yellow and white with violet veining.
Iris cretensis 'Kotsifou Gorge'
Iris cretensis 'Kotsifou Gorge' is a dwarf iris that forms small, 5-inch tall mounds with narrow grass-like foliage. It thrives in dry, rocky, full sun environments, making it ideal for rock gardens and xeriscaping. The plant produces narrow-petalled blue-lavender flowers with a distinctive dark orange eye zone that morphs to brown toward the throat. Its unique coloration and adaptability to harsh conditions make it a standout choice for gardeners seeking resilient and visually striking plants.
Gladiolus 'Rosy Cheeks'
Gladiolus 'Rosy Cheeks' is a charming plant known for its rosy pink flowers with a yellow eye and red mascara lines. It produces 2-foot tall spikes and has grass-like foliage, becoming dormant by mid-May. This plant is easy to grow and fast to multiply, making it a popular choice for gardeners seeking a reliable and colorful addition to their gardens. 'Rosy Cheeks' is an excellent option for those looking to add a touch of elegance and color to their outdoor spaces.
Crocosmia 'Jenny Bloom'
Crocosmia 'Jenny Bloom' is a sturdy, weather-tolerant plant with flat, green, gladiolus-like leaves. It grows 30-inch tall spikes of orange buds that open to golden-yellow flowers. This plant is not overly invasive and is suitable for sunny gardens.
Iris tectorum 'Wolong'
Iris tectorum 'Wolong' is a vigorous clone with rich lavender flowers featuring darker purple flecks. It forms tight clumps that do not spread, reaching 20 inches tall and 2 feet wide. This iris blooms in mid-April and is recognized for its award-winning beauty.
Iris germanica 'Ocelot'
Iris germanica 'Ocelot' is a cold-hardy perennial known for its bi-color peachy-salmon standards and dark burgundy-violet falls. It features apricot beards and attracts pollinators like hummingbirds and bees. This drought-tolerant plant is ideal for pollinator gardens and is resistant to deer and rabbits. It thrives in USDA planting zones 3 to 9, making it a versatile addition to various garden settings.
Iris 'Picasso'
Iris 'Picasso' is a striking plant with lavender-purple flags and bronzy striped golden-yellow falls. This sweetly scented iris is pollinator-friendly and features vertical grass-like green foliage. It is ideal for use as cut flowers and container thrillers, thriving in full sun and partial shade. Fast-growing in fertile, well-drained soil, 'Picasso' is resistant to deer and juglone.
Iris germanica 'Rubenesque'
Iris germanica 'Rubenesque' is a fragrant iris with large, peachy flesh-toned blooms and orangey-apricot standards. Growing up to 42 inches tall, it features sword-like foliage and attracts bees and butterflies. This plant is rarely eaten by deer, rabbits, or squirrels and prefers partial afternoon shade or full sun with fast-draining soil.
Crocosmia 'Emily Mackenzie'
Crocosmia 'Emily Mackenzie' is a spectacular plant known for its enormous orange flowers with a red center. Developed by Charles Cresson, this hybrid is a striking addition to gardens, offering vibrant color and unique floral structure.
Crocosmia 'Norwich'
Crocosmia 'Norwich' is a perennial with canary yellow flowers that bloom in mid-July. It is less obtrusive than its orange-red counterparts and spreads to form large clumps, making it a vibrant addition to gardens.
Iris ensata 'Sakura Komachi'
Iris ensata 'Sakura Komachi' is a Japanese iris introduced in 1982, featuring large blush pink flowers with darker mauve veins. It grows in tight clumps with 2-foot tall spikes, blooming in late May. This iris can be cultivated in moist garden soil or as a marginal aquatic plant.
Iris tectorum 'Slippery Slope'
Iris tectorum 'Slippery Slope' is a striking plant introduced by Darrell Probst, found in Sichuan, China. It forms a 30-inch wide clump in three years and reaches a height of 2 feet. The plant features blue-purple flowers with six petals, including three falls petals with a white eyezone and purple lines.
Iris germanica 'Slovak Prince'
Iris germanica 'Slovak Prince' is a striking plant with large, broad falls and deep ruffles in eggplant purple and marine blue. It is sweetly scented and attracts pollinators, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.
Iris ensata 'Little Snow Man'
Iris ensata 'Little Snow Man' is a deer-resistant plant introduced in 1981, known for its large, flat white flowers that bloom in early June. It grows to a height of 25 inches and attracts hummingbirds. This plant prefers moist sites and requires division every 3-5 years.
Iris sibirica 'Sugar Rush'
Iris sibirica 'Sugar Rush' is a vibrant plant with multi-colored, fragrant blooms that attract hummingbirds and pollinators. Its slender, vertical green blades make it a great ornamental grass substitute. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, it grows 24-34 inches tall and spreads 12-24 inches per rhizome. This iris prefers full sun to part shade and almost any well-drained soil type, and it is resistant to deer, pests, and diseases.
Iris pallida 'Variegata'
Iris pallida 'Variegata' is a striking plant with 2-foot tall sword-shaped foliage striped with wide bands of creamy yellow. It produces fragrant violet-blue flowers and requires a dry, well-drained site to thrive. This iris is known for its colorful foliage and aromatic blooms.
Iris verna var. verna 'Baby Blue Eyes'
Iris verna var. verna 'Baby Blue Eyes' is a running iris that thrives in both dry and wet conditions. It produces small, fragrant medium blue-lavender flowers and forms a 3-4 foot wide carpet of color, making it a versatile addition to gardens.
Crocus 'Yellow Mammoth'
Crocus 'Yellow Mammoth' is a bright honey-yellow flowering bulb that blooms in early spring. Known for its long-lasting petals and taller growth, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and is deer resistant.
Iris ensata 'Pink Frost'
Iris ensata 'Pink Frost' is a fast-multiplying perennial known for its mauve pink petals with a white pattern above a bright yellow throat. It grows to a height of 2 feet and forms a 3-foot wide clump, attracting hummingbirds and resisting deer. This iris thrives in moist, rich soils and benefits from division every 3-5 years to maintain its vigor and beauty.