Iris tridentata
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Iris falconeriana
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-ris try-den-TAH-ta
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Savannah iris is a perennial bulb in the Iridaceae (iris) family native to just 5 states in the southeastern U.S.A. with showy blue-purple flowers. In North Carolina, it grows in shady swamps and wetlands in the coastal plain. The genus name Iris is named after the Greek Goddess of rainbows. The species name tridentata is Latin for "three teeth".
The fragrant showy purple flowers appear from May to June. and it can form colonies from spreading rhizomes.
This plant is native to boggy soils but will grow in drier conditions. However, if dry for too long it doesn't bloom well. For best performance, give this plant moist to wet conditions in sandy soils in partial sun to light shade. It will also tolerate growing in a container with an inch or so of soil over the bulb. Savannah iris is resistant to browsing by deer.
Grow in a water, rain, or bog garden or to frame a riparian area.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Watch for slugs and snails.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Iris
- Species:
- tridentata
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern U.S.A. from southeastern NC to northern FL
- Distribution:
- NC, SC, GA, FL, TN
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and mammals.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Round to oblong seed capsule August to October
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant blue-purple wide sepals spread and then arch down. They have dark purple veins and a white to yellow signals. Petals are much smaller only 1-2 cm in threes and resemble teeth. Blooms appear singly from May to June on 2-foot green stalks that rise above the leaves.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Strap-like leaves are bright green, 12-18 inches long and .5 to 1.5 inches wide, basal and upright. Margins are entire and occasionally tinged with red-brown. They encircle the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Green round stem up to 2 feet tall sometime branched but usualy holding only one flower.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
