Winter Flowering Iris Iris unguicularis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Iris stylosa
- Joniris stylosa
- Neubeckia stylosa
- Siphonostylis unguicularis
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-ris un-gwih-kew-LAR-iss
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Algerian Iris is a purple-flowering bulb native to northern Africa and the western Mediterranean region. While it will grow in the sun, this blub is particularly attractive in shady areas. Its flowers appear in late winter and provide a much needed pop of color in the landscape. Consider mass planting it in border fronts, along walkways or near patios where the long lasting blooms can be enjoyed.
Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Grey molds, bacterial soft rot, or a virus may occur.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
White flowers - 'Dazzling Eyes'
- 'Great White'
Large white flowers with yellow stripes down the center of the outter petals. - 'Logan Calhoun'
- 'Mary Barnard'
- 'Peloponnese Snow'
White flowers with hints of orange and purple
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Dazzling Eyes', 'Great White', 'Logan Calhoun', 'Mary Barnard', 'Peloponnese Snow'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
White flowers - 'Dazzling Eyes'
- 'Great White'
Large white flowers with yellow stripes down the center of the outter petals. - 'Logan Calhoun'
- 'Mary Barnard'
- 'Peloponnese Snow'
White flowers with hints of orange and purple
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Dazzling Eyes', 'Great White', 'Logan Calhoun', 'Mary Barnard', 'Peloponnese Snow'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Iris
- Species:
- unguicularis
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Africa and Mediterranean
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought, deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Erect
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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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Seedpods should be completely dry (while attached to the plant) before seeds are taken out.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Showy lavendar-purple flowers with yellow banding appear in early winter through early spring. The flowers are on short stems so they are low in the clump of leaves.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves can be up to 12 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems that hold the flower up can be as tall as 8 inches.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, diarrhea. Highest concentration in rhizomes
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Pentacylic terpenoids (zeorin, missourin and missouriensin)
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
