Iris

Iris aucheri (EYE-ris aw-KER-eye boo-KAIR-ih-kuh)

Family: Iridaceae Non-native Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

The Iris family, Iridaceae, is a very large one of perennial herbaceous herbs growing from a rhizome, corm or bulb. This Iris, Iris aucheri x bucharica , is a sterile, cultivated hybrid with fragrant white flowers with yellow blotches that bloom during May and June. It typically grows to 16 inches tall from a fleshy-rooted bulb. The genus name, Iris, comes from the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Iris auchere is a native of Turkey and Iran while Iris bucharica is a native of central Asia. Plant in full sun or partial shade in moist well-drained slightly acid to neutral soil. The best blooms appear when planted in the full sun. They are drought tolerant once established and resistant to browsing by deer. Once they are comfortable in a site, plants are best left undisturbed. You can mass plant them to good effect in a border front or along a walkway and they work well in rock gardens or other small spaces. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Potential insect pests include aphids, caterpillars, beetles, snails, slugs, spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies. They are susceptible to diseases such as bacterial soft rot, botrytis blight or gray mold, leaf spots, root and crown rots, rust, and viruses.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 51 attributes.