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English Iris Iris jacquinii

Previously known as:

  • Iris cepifolia
  • Iris latifolia
  • Iris pyrenaea
  • Iris xiphioides
  • Xiphion jacquinii
  • Xiphion latifolium
Phonetic Spelling
EYE-ris jak-KIN-ee-eye
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Though often called English Iris for its prevalence as a favorite in England and exportation to the European continent Low Countries from there, this species is native to Spain and France and has had several previous names.  It is one of the larger showy iris with the 3 inner erect standards of 1.5 - 2 inches tall and up to 2 inches wide.  The 3 outer falls are also large at 2 - 3 inches long and 1 - 1.5 inches wide.  The blueish-purple and sometimes pale blue, white or even yellow blooms are held at the top of 15-inch stalks in twos to three in late June.  The strap-like leaves are up to 20 inches tall in a knife shape spreading at the base as a fan.

A perennial herbaceous herb, this plant likes full sun and should be kept damp during the growing season.  This plant is great for use in beds, borders, and rock gardens.  It can be naturalized by spreading bulbs and should be cultivated by division.  When planting, bury the bulbs 8 inches to the base and spaced 6 inches apart at 6-10 bulbs per sq. ft. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  

More information on Iris.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#poisonous#full sun tolerant#small spaces#houseplant#purple flowers#blue flowers#riparian#pond margins#spreading#naturalizes#rock garden#wet soils tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#poisonous#full sun tolerant#small spaces#houseplant#purple flowers#blue flowers#riparian#pond margins#spreading#naturalizes#rock garden#wet soils tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Iris
    Species:
    jacquinii
    Family:
    Iridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northwest Spain, Pyrenees and France
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1-several flowers at the top of a naked stem, 6-parted with 3 outer, spreading or pendent "falls" and 3 inner, erect "standards", variously colored, blooms in late spring
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Strap-like, overlapping at base, oriented in one plane
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Nausea, salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, diarrhea, elevated temperature following ingestion; skin irritation upon contact with seeds, rootstock, or cell sap.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Pentacylic terpenoids (zeorin, missourin and missouriensin), Irisin, iridin, or irisine
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds