Lakeshore Garden Centres Plant Finder

Group/Class:  Intermediate Bearded

Description:

This beautiful variety of intermediate height produces cobalt blue blooms with dashes of lavender; a perfect sunny border planting, and impressive when massed in the garden; watch for iris borers

Ornamental Features

Az Ap Iris features showy blue flag-like flowers with lavender overtones at the ends of the stems from mid to late spring. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its sword-like leaves remain green in colour throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Az Ap 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

Az Ap Iris is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Az Ap 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.