Iris at Wairere Nursery

Iris

Irises, named after the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow are one of the most seductive of flowers and once smitten with this genus it is likely to be a long lasting love affair. With over 200 species in the Iris family it is possible to have an Iris flowering in your garden nearly every month of the year. Irises either grow from bulbs or from rhizomes; these can be quite large or very tiny.

Bulbous Irises include those known as Xiphium, Reticulata and Juno. The most common of these is Iris xiphium which gives us the Dutch Iris frequently used by florists. Iris reticulata is becoming more widely available and this sweet little Iris produces dainty flowers from July to September. It is an ideal container Iris. Rhizomatous Irises consist of groups known as Bearded, Beardless and Crested. Beardless Irises include, Pacific Coast, Siberian, Spuria, Louisiana and Japanese Irises. Beardless Irises usually have a flash of colour on the falls or lower petals; this is called a signal and is specifically designed to attract bees. Bearded Irises have a beard instead of a signal. The beard looks a bit like a fuzzy caterpillar and it too is designed to guide the bees into the flower along with trapping their pollen. Crested Irises have a small raised area called a crest instead of a signal or a beard. Iris flowers come in a rainbow of colours and are made up of 6 petals; 3 upper petals called standards and 3 lower petals called falls. Many Irises have a wonderful fragrance. The beautiful Iris has been revered since ancient times with the rhizomes (orris root) being sought after for medicinal remedies. The Iris has also been used as a symbol in heraldry for centuries and is known as the 'Fleur de lis' which literally translated means Flower of the Lily! Not a Lily at all but an enchanting, elegant, irresistible Iris.

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24 LISTINGS FOR IRIS

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Dietes Bicolor

aka Fortnight Lily or Spanish Iris

A member of the Iris family that forms a large clump of erect, sword-like, light green, leathery foliage. Dainty pale yellow blooms with chocolate brown blotches will appear in spring-summer. Prefers well drained, humus rich soil and protection from harsh frost. Sun or part shade. Evergreen.

Flower Colour: Yellow / Red
Habit: Clump Forming
Mature Size (HxW): 90cm x 50cm

Dietes Bicolor

Current Stock Height: 30/50 cm ?

Container: 1.5l ?

$21.99

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Dietes Grandiflora

aka Wild Iris

A popular member of the Iris family with narrow green sword like foliage and strong stems of open butterfly like blooms. The blooms have white falls with mauve standards and a splash of gold in the centre. Plant in sun or semi-shade and protect from harsh frost. Evergreen.

Dietes grandiflora is a dramatic landscaping plant when planted en masse and allowed to multiply. I've actually got one growing in a large terracotta pot which looks pretty good too.

Flower Colour: White / Purple
Habit: Clump Forming
Mature Size (HxW): 100cm x 60cm

Dietes Grandiflora

Expected Stock Height: 30/40 cm ?

New stock expected Middle of April, 2025. Waitlist now. Estimated price $24.99. Payment on order.

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Dietes Iridioides

aka Fortnight Lily or Spanish Iris

A beautiful clump forming perennial that has evergreen sword like foliage. The dainty flowers have white falls with mauve standards and a splash of gold in the centre. Flowers appear at the end of wiry stems in spring-summer. Sun or part shade, well drained soil. Protect from harsh frost.

Flower Colour: White / Yellow
Habit: Clump Forming
Mature Size (HxW): 60cm x 30cm

Dietes Iridioides

Expected Stock Height: 10/20 cm ?

Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.

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Iris Bearded Art Form

aka Flag Iris

Tall Bearded Iris. What a nice Iris this is with standards in a soft buff shade and complementary falls that are a warm mauve tone. Flowers well and is generally a 'good doer'. Grey sword like foliage that forms a clump. Loves the sun and good drainage. Perennial.

Flower Colour: Purple / Cream
Habit: Clump Forming
Mature Size (HxW): 100cm x multiplies

Iris Bearded Art Form

Expected Stock Height: 10/20 cm ?

Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.

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Iris Bearded Beaumonde

aka Flag Iris

Tall Bearded Iris. An award winning Iris that is officially called a Plicata. That means the flower is white washed with tones of grey blue and violet - just lovely. Grey sword like foliage. Plant in a sunny well drained spot with the rhizome exposed. Perennial.

Flower Colour: Purple / Blue
Habit: Clump Forming

Iris Bearded Beaumonde

Expected Stock Height: 10/20 cm ?

Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.

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Iris Bearded Black As Night

aka Flag Iris

Tall Bearded Iris. If you like dark moody flowers you will love this beautiful Iris with large, ruffled, lightly fragrant blooms that have falls and standards in red/black with a black 'beard' tipped in bronze. Happy in the sun and well drained soil. Perennial.

Bearded Iris must be planted with the rhizome exposed i.e. do not cover with soil. They like a side dressing of lime around about August and feeding with a well balanced slow release fertilizer in early October. Divide every 3 years for best results.

Flower Colour: Black
Habit: Clump Forming
Mature Size (HxW): 100cm x cm

Iris Bearded Black As Night

Expected Stock Height: 10/20 cm ?

Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.

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Iris Bearded Burgundy Party

aka Flag Iris

Tall Bearded Iris. A beautiful Iris with standards that are a pale pink-burgundy shade complemented by falls in deep rich burgundy. A lovely combination. Nice grey foliage. Easy to grow in a sunny well drained spot. Plant with the rhizome exposed. Perennial.

Standards refers to the 3 upper petals of the flower and falls refers to the three lower petals. The beard is the little cluster of hairs at the top of the falls which is a guide for pollinating insects. No shaving required!

Flower Colour: Red / Pink
Habit: Clump Forming
Mature Size (HxW): 100cm x multiplies

Iris Bearded Burgundy Party

Expected Stock Height: 10/20 cm ?

Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.

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Iris Bearded Como Surprise

aka Flag Iris

Tall Bearded Iris. Dark violet standards and falls. Beards yellow. Grey sword like foliage that forms a clump. Plant in a sunny well drained spot with the rhizome exposed. Perennial.

Flower Colour: Purple
Habit: Clump Forming
Mature Size (HxW): 70-100cm x 60cm

Iris Bearded Como Surprise

Expected Stock Height: 10/15 cm ?

Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.

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Iris Bearded Dark Passion

aka Flag Iris

Tall bearded iris. The compact size of the flowers seems to intensify the sheer blackness of Dark Passion's ebony petals. Enjoy both the dark licorice hue and the bouncy feeling of the gently ruffled petals. Grey sword like foliage. Plant in a sunny well drained spot. Perennial.

Flower Colour: Black
Habit: Clump Forming
Mature Size (HxW): 90cm x multiplies

Iris Bearded Dark Passion

Expected Stock Height: 10/20 cm ?

Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.

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Iris Bearded Edge of Winter

aka Flag Iris

Early midseason bloom. Standards uniform rich methyl violet blue; Falls very light porcelain blue white; blue white beard. Sword like grey foliage that forms a clump. Multiplies well. Loves the sun and good drainage. Plant with the rhizome exposed. Perennial.

Flower Colour: Blue
Habit: Clump Forming

Iris Bearded Edge of Winter

Expected Stock Height: 5/10 cm ?

Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.

24 LISTINGS FOR IRIS

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Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: