Lakeshore Garden Centres Plant Finder

Group/Class:  Intermediate Bearded

Description:

This beautiful variety of intermediate height produces large white and yellow blooms with dashes of violet ; a perfect sunny border planting, and impressive when massed in the garden; watch for iris borer

Ornamental Features

Early Frost Iris features showy white flag-like flowers with yellow throats and a white beard at the ends of the stems from late spring to early summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its sword-like leaves remain green in colour throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Early Frost Iris is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects

Early Frost Iris is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Early Frost Iris will grow to be about 14 inches tall at maturity extending to 22 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 14 inches apart. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.