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(Iris unguicularis)
Algerian Iris (Iris unguicularis)
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Karim Haddad
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Karim Haddad
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Karim Haddad | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Karim Haddad | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-02-10T15:29:05-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Iris unguicularis, commonly known as Algerian Iris, is an evergreen perennial herbnative to the Mediterranean region, where it thrives in rocky, well-drained soils often in scrub and open woodlands. It typically grows to 30 centimeters (12 inches) in height, with grass-like evergreen leaves that provide year-round interest. The plant is notable for its pale lilac or purple flowers, each with a distinctive central band of yellow on the falls, and a pronounced perianth tube up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long. The flowers are fragrant and appear in winter and early spring, providing a rare splash of color during the colder months.
Algerian Iris is valued for its winter flowering habit and the sweet fragrance of its blooms. It is a popular choice for rock gardens, borders, and Mediterranean-style landscapes. The plant is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. It prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade, and it requires well-drained soil. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to slugs and snails, which may damage the foliage and flowers. Cultivars such as ’Alba’ and the dwarf I. unguicularis subsp. cretensis, as well as ’Mary Barnard’, which has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, offer gardeners a variety of options for color and size.CC BY-SA 4.0
Algerian Iris is valued for its winter flowering habit and the sweet fragrance of its blooms. It is a popular choice for rock gardens, borders, and Mediterranean-style landscapes. The plant is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. It prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade, and it requires well-drained soil. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to slugs and snails, which may damage the foliage and flowers. Cultivars such as ’Alba’ and the dwarf I. unguicularis subsp. cretensis, as well as ’Mary Barnard’, which has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, offer gardeners a variety of options for color and size.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Height: 0.5-1.5 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
native to the Mediterranean region, where it thrives in rocky, well-drained soils often in scrub and open woodlands
Other Names
Common Names: Algerian Winter Iris, Winter-Flowering Iris, Doftiris
Scientific Names: , Iris unguicularis, Siphonostylis unguicularis, Iris cretica,
GBIF Accepted Name: Iris unguicularis Poir.