IRIS foetidissima
Medium
Part shade
Shade
Sun
Purple
Reasonable soil
Well drained soil
Summer
Autumn
RHS Award of Garden Merit
Pollinator friendly
Description
Iris foetidissima
Height x Spread: 75cm x 45cm
Now for an Iris that is rather different. Please do not be put off by its common name 'stinking iris' or 'roast beef iris', it is in fact one of those plants that every gardener is likely to have a use for.
Successful in most soils but able to tolerate a well-drained soil in shade beneath trees as well as a more sunny location, it is an evergreen perennial with rich green leaves that produces modest pale purple flowers with a yellow hue in late summer. These are followed, however, by large papery seedpods that open to reveal bright orange seeds that shine out of the gloom and last well into winter blending well with early spring flowering bulbs. Easy to grow, its nectar-rich blooms are much beloved by bees making it a shoo-in for a wildlife garden plus other informal garden styles.