Description

Gladwin Iris is a fully hardy, evergreen rhizome with rich, green foliage and small pale lemon to fawn or purple-grey flowers with brown veins growing to 75cm or more in height. In winter, the plants large green pods open to expose masses of orange seeds that are highly ornamental. It is also a very useful plant due to its ability to grow in dry shade and also tolerates damp conditions. Simple and easy to grow, this variety is good for gardens and containers.

Cultivation

After preparing a deep, rich, well drained soil in the garden with an addition of bone meal or proprietary bulb fertilizer in autumn, plant Iris bulbs about 7cm deep and 10cm apart. If grown in pots and other containers, they should be planted slightly deeper and closer together for greater moisture retention and flowering effect and then placed in a brightly lit area. Shortly after the foliage emerges through the soil, spread a small amount of general fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 over the growing area and water in. During the growing period, Iris needs to be kept free of aphids, as they are the carriers of virus infection which will cause leaf streak and reduced flowering. Water well during the growing season if dry conditions prevail in winter, but allow the soil to dry out once the flowers finish. Bulb clumps will multiply freely and should be left undisturbed for many years. Only lift and divide them in spring/summer if they appear to become crowded.