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Swamp iris (Iris pseudacorus) can be found in natural environments. This is an amazing plant that decorates ponds. It takes root well in private gardens and park areas near ponds.
Yellow buds with bright “tongues” on long green stems are an excellent option for landscape designers
Description of marsh iris
Swamp iris, depending on the description and photo, is a herbaceous perennial growing in fresh water bodies. The strong rhizome develops well in such an environment and accumulates nutrients.
Growth points are located in the lateral part of the root of the marsh iris, which makes it possible for the shoots to bend horizontally in different directions. Thanks to this, voluminous bushes are obtained.
The xiphoid wide plates are light green or variegated. With proper care and the creation of appropriate conditions, they grow up to 2 m in length.
The marsh iris has up to 15 powerful branched peduncles. Each bud has three petals in the outer circle and the same number in the inner circle.The color may vary depending on the variety and classification of marsh iris. The palette of buds is:
- yellow (with an orange core);
- blue;
- purple;
- white.
Varietal plants have an external resemblance to wild iris, so it has other names - calamus (irris).
The plants bloom in June, and by mid-July the marsh iris has formed a seed pod
In nature, the fruit cracks, black grains spill into the water, where they then germinate. They do not sink for a long time and float on the surface. This is because they have an air cavity.
Iris calamus is not only a beautiful plant that has long attracted the attention of landscape designers. The flower is a medicinal species. The rhizomes of swamp iris are used for coughs, migraines, sore throats, and gastritis. Iris leaves are rich in vitamin C and amino acids.
Why is the false calamus iris listed in the Red Book?
False calamus iris grows up to 1.5 m. It is distinguished by flat, long leaves of green or bluish color.
The upper petals of the yellow buds are slightly underdeveloped, they are shorter than the outer ones. Among the calamus irises there are representatives with white flowers.
The rhizome is powerful, dissected, which ensures successful growth of iris. Unfortunately, due to drought or forced drainage of swampy areas, the number of plants is reduced. All yellow marsh irises, regardless of variety and description, are listed in the Red Book.
Growing in summer cottages, in parks, near artificial reservoirs helps protect the crop from extinction
Swamp iris varieties
Among swamp irises there are varieties with different color palettes. It is possible to select plants with blue, yellow, purple, white and cream petals for the site.
Popular varieties:
- Swamp iris Variegata. Famous for its pale blue flowers. It also has decorative leaves: they are bright green with yellow stripes. The culture is especially beautiful in spring.
By autumn, not a trace remains of Variegata’s decorativeness, so it is recommended to cut off the shoots
- Flora Plena. This variety of swamp iris has double petals of bright yellow color. In the middle of the bud there are stripes of dark yellow and brownish tint. The leaves are dark green. The decorative properties of the plant are fully revealed when certain conditions are created.
The Flora Pleno variety will require a lot of moisture and sun.
- Iris chrysographes Black Form. This is an unpretentious variety with dark purple, almost black petals. The lower ones have small golden touches. Hence the name. Irises are tall - up to half a meter. Flowering begins in June-July. Excess moisture negatively affects the decorativeness of the plant.
For planting Black Foam, it is better to select places that are not too damp, in the sun or in open shade.
- English White. Delicate buds with white petals bloom on powerful stems up to 1 m high. On each “tongue” longitudinal veins of a cream color are clearly visible. Closer to the middle of the flower, there is a dark cherry stripe on the petals.
About nine buds bloom on one arrow of English White
- Creme de la Creme. This is an unpretentious swamp iris; for planting it, you can choose wet and even flooded places, shallow water. It looks good in partial shade, but it is in the sun that it reveals all its charm. The height of the bushes is 70-90 cm. The flowers are light cream with burgundy-violet veins at the base. The buds are large - about 10 cm in diameter.
The Creme de la Creme variety is winter-hardy, so the crop can be grown everywhere
- Bastard (Bastardii). The height of this plant is about 120 cm. It is also found in nature, only the varietal iris has lemon-yellow flowers, as in the photo, with a clearly visible orange-red core. In the wild variety, the color of the petals is monochromatic and uniform.
Bastard flowers reach 12-14 cm in diameter
Swamp iris in landscape design
Swamp iris with yellow and blue petals has long been particularly popular among landscape designers. This is no coincidence. The plant is easy to care for and grows quickly. Thanks to it you can create various flower arrangements.
Application options:
- yellow marsh iris looks great in areas next to trees and shrubs;
Bastard flowers reach 12-14 cm in diameter
- next to other perennials;
- as tapeworm groups on lawns;
- single landings;
Dense bushes with long peduncles can decorate any area
- flower beds with colorful marsh irises look great;
- On ponds, small lakes or wet beds, varieties of yellow swamp iris are placed in rows or clumps.
You can plant various aquatic plants next to the marsh iris.
Features of reproduction
Like other plants, swamp iris reproduces in a variety of ways. Each of them is good in its own way:
- By dividing the rhizome. To do this, you need to dig up a swamp iris bush with a good lump of soil and clean the root. Using a sharp knife, cut into slices. Each of them should have 2-3 lateral buds and one central shoot.Sprinkle cut areas with charcoal or ash to prevent diseases. Cut off the leaves a little before planting. To root, plant the cuttings first in containers and then in a permanent place.
- Seed propagation. The material has a dense peel, so it requires stratification for germination. Swamp iris seeds are sown in the ground late in the fall and a film is placed on top. In spring they are planted.
Planting swamp iris
Swamp iris should be planted in a permanent place in August-September. The area must be protected from drafts. The planted cuttings will bloom next summer.
When choosing swamp iris seedlings, you should pay attention to their appearance. Roots and stems should be free of damage, signs of rot, traces of diseases and pests.
Irises are planted in a damp place or shallow water, in areas open to the sun. The acidity of the soil should be 7 pH, fertile, with a high clay content.
Planting stages:
- To control the growth of seedlings, seed is placed in large containers with fertile soil.
- The soil is well moistened until it becomes mushy.
- The rhizomes of the iris are cut by 1/3, and the leaf blades are also shortened.
After preparation for planting, plants will spend energy on rooting
- The seedling is placed to a depth of 10 cm. In this case, the root is not placed in the center of the container, but closer to the walls.
- The thickening on which the growth points are located is left above the ground.
- Then containers with marsh iris seedlings are placed in a permanent place in the reservoir and immersed to 20-40 cm.
You can plant the crop directly in open ground
Features of care
Gardeners do not encounter any particular difficulties when growing plants. Swamp iris is unpretentious. You just need to fulfill some conditions at the time of landing:
- Lighting. The leaves and flowers of the crop are not afraid of the open sun. Moreover, plants should be illuminated all day.
- Watering. If irises are planted in ponds or in a swamp bed, then additional irrigation will not be required. In other cases, the soil is constantly kept moist, preventing the top layer from drying out. In hot weather and drought you will have to water twice a day.
- Feeding. Plants planted in ponds do not need fertilizer. In other cases, you can add a complex composition after flowering, for example, “Kemira”.
Should swamp iris be pruned for the winter?
When growing swamp iris, gardeners do not experience any particular difficulties. The only point that you should pay attention to concerns the trimming of the ground part. This procedure is mandatory and is performed several times during the growing season.
In what cases is pruning carried out:
- If spots appear on the leaf plates or they have lost their decorative properties due to pests.
- After flowering is over, so that nutrients have time to accumulate in the rhizomes.
- At the end of autumn before frost.
- In accordance with the rules of agricultural technology of individual varieties.
During pruning, leave a third of the height of the leaf blades of the marsh iris.
Pests and diseases
Despite the fact that plants are unpretentious, unfortunately, it is not always possible to maintain their health. From time to time the crop gets sick and is affected by pests.
What can swamp irises suffer from:
- Alternaria blight. Unfortunately, plants cannot be cured; you only need to destroy and disinfect the soil.
- Ascochyta blight causes the leaves to dry out. For treatment, preparations containing copper are used.
- The cause of heterosporiosis can be prolonged rains and warm summers. The disease damages flowers. There is no cure; you need to pick off the affected petals in a timely manner.
- To treat rot on swamp irises, solutions containing sulfur are used.
If we talk about pests, irises can suffer from:
- Khrushchev;
- wireworm;
- onion fly;
- gladiolus thrips;
- nematodes
It is useful to treat plantings with special solutions. The drugs are diluted in accordance with the recommendations in the instructions.
Conclusion
Swamp iris is a beautiful plant that is gaining popularity. Due to the fact that there are many varieties with different petals, you can create unique flower arrangements on your site.
