Common name: Gerald Darby iris

Family name: Iridaceae

Description: broad, green, lanceolate leaves that emerge a dark, dusky purple, in early spring, turning green as the season progresses, reaching over 1m in height. Flowers emerge on dark, nearly black stems, and are a medium purple and delicate-looking. The broad leaves remain after the flowers are finished.

Growing conditions: medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade; can be grown in standing shallow standing water; soil must not be allowed to dry out.

Height and spread: 1-1.5m by 0.5m

Limitations: clumps of foliage are messy in fall as they collapse; requires a moist environment, so cannot be used in unirrigated landscapes or landscapes with little or no maintenance. No serious pests or diseases but is susceptible to  aphids, iris borer and iris thrips, and some rots and viruses.

Landscape uses: This iris has multi-season interest, where many irises do not. This gives it an advantage, as the flowering season for irises can be quite short. Can be grown in several centimetres of standing water; the flowers look particularly good contrasted against chartreuse foliage, and the purple/reddish brown leaves of a Japanese maple or Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’ picks up the dark stems. Best suited to be grown near a sunny pond or water feature, or a moist border area.