Irises

In the early 1970s a number of people in Lafayette, Louisiana, realised that the natural habitat of wild irises, which grew in five different areas in the Mississippi basin, was in danger. So they collected specimens of these five different varieties - some grew in swamps, some in bayous, in forests, or in exposed areas. Soon the activities of bees etc. led to the creation of hybrids, combining the different colours and other genetic traits. Enter the Louisiana Iris! By the 1990s Australian Iris growers realised that the Sydney climate and soil would suit this new flower. Our humid summers, rain all year round and clay soil (acidic) are suitable, so there are now four hybridisers in Sydney.

The Louisiana Iris grows from a rhizome , which must be planted under the ground BUT IS NOT A BULB. (Bearded Irises have the rhizome on the surface.) They grow taller than most other Irises, normally giving one flowering stem, with each flower lasting 3 days. The flower opens out flat and is “beardless”. The leaves are tall. Cut down when transplanting. Cut off the stem when flowers have finished to prevent a seedpod forming.

Cultivation

Plant the rhizome under the ground, so that the white at the base of the stem is covered. It needs feeding for the roots to grow. Use Camellia/Azalea food, blood and bone, compost BUT NOT ANYTHING WITH LIME! No Dynamic Lifter! Lime will kill the plant in 2 weeks. Feed when planting and always feed in autumn. They grow anywhere, sun or shade, even in water - from Cairns to Hobart, Perth to Cooma, to the Pilbarra. Excellent for a water feature! You can grow them right on the coast either in a 40‑gallon drum or a shallow pot. Keep the mulch up to them.

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