Plant DetailShow Menu

Butterfly Iris Moraea

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Butterfly Iris:

Phonetic Spelling
mor-EYE-ah
Description

The genus Moraea is in the iris family (Iridaceae). There are more than 200 species. Most are from Africa, but some are found in southern Europe, the Arabian Peninsula and central Asia. Some Moraea species native to South Africa are cold hardy enough for gardens in the Southeastern US.

Plant 5 or 6 corms per 6-inch pot to a depth of 4 inches. Most species are drought-tolerant once established. 

The following are federally listed noxious weeds in the USA and should not be planted: Cape tulip (Moraea collina), One leaf Cape tulip (Moraea flaccida), Two leaf Cape tulip (Moraea miniata), Apricot Cape tulip (Moraea ochroleuca) and Yellow Cape tulip (Moraea pallida).

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Minor pest problems, such as aphids and narcissus fly.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#summer bulbs#container plant#perennial#weed#Noxious Weed (Federal list)
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#summer bulbs#container plant#perennial#weed#Noxious Weed (Federal list)
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Moraea
    Family:
    Iridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical & South Africa, Mediterranean to Western Himalaya
    Bulb Storage:
    Store corms in peat or vermiculite at 35-50 degrees F (2-10C) when dormant
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • 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
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Simple & elegant iris-like flowers with nectar guides in center
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Slender, grassy leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought