Japanese Iris 'Lady in Waiting' - 4 pieces

CHF 19.90

Japanese Iris 'Lady in Waiting' - 4 pieces

Name: Japanese Iris 'Lady in Waiting' - 4 pieces
Brand: Iris
Price: 19.90 CHF
Availability: OutOfStock

Iris ensata 'Lady in Waiting'

CHF 19.90

Almost white flowers with a delicate lavender edge
Large, flat flowers of about 12 cm
Late flowering from June to August
About 70–90 cm tall
Hardy, loves moist to damp soil

'Lady in Waiting' is a Japanese iris with large, flat, open flowers. They are almost white, slightly ruffled and delicately flushed lavender to pink at the edges. It flowers from June to August, long after most other irises have finished.

About this variety

Japanese irises have a shape all of their own: their flowers open wide and flat, almost like a plate. 'Lady in Waiting' shows this in delicate colours. The ruffled petals are almost white, brushed with lavender and a rosy blush at the edges. In the centre sit small yellow markings with a greenish sheen.

At about 70 to 90 cm tall, the variety is ideal for pond edges, damp borders or along a fence. It loves moist to damp, loamy or clay soil. Good partners are candelabra primulas, baby's breath, poppies and hostas. It thrives equally in sun and partial shade. It is only partly suitable for pots.

'Lady in Waiting' is still rare in gardens. Its late flowering makes it valuable, as it bridges the gap between early and high summer. The flowers can be cut, but last longest on the plant. Be patient: it takes two to three years to reach its full size.

Planting

Plant the rootstocks in spring or autumn, about 3–5 cm deep and 25–35 cm apart. A sunny to partly shaded spot with moist to damp, rather lime-poor soil is ideal. Improve loamy or clay soil with compost.

Care

Keep the soil evenly moist from spring to summer, as Japanese irises do not like drought. Feed in spring with compost or a lime-free fertiliser. Cut off faded stems and cut back the foliage in late autumn. The plant is hardy, even at higher altitudes.

Specifications

Botanical name: Iris ensata 'Lady in Waiting'
Genus: Iris
Class: Various
Flower colour: Green, Pink, White
Flower size: 12 cm
Flowering time: June, July, August
Flowering season: Early summer, High summer
Foliage colour: Mid-green
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 45 cm
Habit: Clump-forming
Position: Sun, Partial shade
Suitable for: Bed, Rock garden, Wildlife garden and meadow, Cutting garden
Soil type: Clay, Loamy
Drainage: Well-drained
Soil moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic, Neutral
Soil note: Prefers clay or loamy soil. Excess water must be able to drain away well.
Planting time: February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November
Planting depth: Depending on the species, shallow to 10 cm
Spacing: 25–35 cm
Number per m²: 10
Hardiness in Switzerland: Hardy in Switzerland
Hardiness by location: Hardy, also at higher altitudes
Hardiness zone (USDA): 4–5
Overwintering note: Generally hardy in garden soil in Switzerland. At high, windy sites and in containers, plan extra winter protection and avoid winter wet.
For containers: Only partly suitable for containers
Container note: Only recommended in a sufficiently large, stable, well-drained container.
Cut flower: Suitable as a cut flower
Naturalising: Not suitable
Naturalising note: Persists for several years in a suitable spot, but does not normally spread over larger areas on its own.
For bees and butterflies: Not attractive to pollinators
Toxicity: Not edible and possibly harmful. Keep away from children and pets.
RHS hardiness: H6