Japanese Roof Iris Iris Tectorum

The leaves are 15 inches tall fanned at the base and ribbed.

Japanese roof iris iris tectorum.

Noteworthy characteristics iris tectorum is a 15 tall species of the crested iris group featuring large 6 across beardless bright lilac purple flowers with falls which are crested white. Rich moist well drained and slightly acid. It is a rhizomatous perennial. Iris tectorum also known as roof iris japanese roof iris and wall iris is a plant species in the genus iris it is also in the subgenus limniris.

Or is it a wall iris. The species is hermaphrodite has both male and female organs and is pollinated by insects. Full sun preferred but some shade tolerated unlike many other iris soil. Though the bloom is large at 6 inches the standards are shortened and tubular and the falls widespread.

Iris tectorum is an evergreen perennial growing to 0 3 m 1ft by 0 5 m 1ft 8in at a medium rate. Or perhaps it was for purely pragmatic reasons to help hold the thatch together. It is drought tolerant once established but maintains its best appearance with consistent moisture. It is in leaf all year in flower from may to june.

There is a white form as well. One of my favorite species is japanese roof iris iris tectorum. Browse pictures and read growth cultivation information about japanese root iris roof iris wall iris iris tectorum variegata supplied by member gardeners in the plantfiles database at dave. It is grown on thatch roofs in japan hence its most common vernacular name.

Also known as japanese roof iris iris tectorumprefers part sun to sun with some afternoon protection and moist to average well drained soil. Spring fertilization and heavy mulch in spring and fall. Iris tectorum or japanese roof iris is a large flowering evansia iris crested iris that grows well in a humus rich damp position. Other legends indicate it was used to ward off evil spirits.

Some sources suggest that when space became too precious for anything but food crops japanese women who used the powdered rhizomes as a face powder began growing iris tectorum on their thatch roofs. The roof iris is native to china but was first discovered in the 1860s growing in japan on the roofs hence the common name. Foliage is arranged in fans of narrow lance shaped ribbed glossy upright leaves that can become somewhat floppy. It is hardy to zone uk 6.

With purple white pink and blue flowering roof iris cultivars for sale online. It grows about a foot tall with a spreading rhizomatous habit common to most irises. Japanese roof iris responds well to fertilization during the growing season. It is native of china korea and burma with lavender blue bluish violet purple blue blue lilac or sky blue flowers.

The name japanese roof iris comes from the tradition of this iris being grown on the damp thatched roofs of japanese cottages to help hold the thatch together. One to two tablespoons complete fertilizer 10 10 10 before blooming.