Iris versicolor ‘Purple Flame’
Blooming Time
Exposure
A stunning selection made at the Mt. Cuba Center, this Iris has deep eggplant-purple, sword-shaped foliage that eventually transitions to lush green by mid-summer. A robust grower, ‘Purple Flame’ establishes quickly; forming dense clumps with tall, dark purple stems topped with clusters of flat buds. Dancing above the foliage, these buds open to lovely violet-streaked flowers accented with yellow pollen-laden throats, beckoning hummingbirds and butterflies. An excellent choice to plant pondside, or in boggy areas with standing water (moisture will help the foliage to retain its dark purple coloration for longer in the season). ‘Purple Flame’ excels in regular garden soils as well.
Details
Hardiness Zone:
Blossom Color:
Violet to Purple
Growth Habit:
Slow Spreading
Max Height:
3'
Texture:
Recommended Spacing:
We sell this plant in these containers:
Special Characteristics
Features
Deep eggplant-purple, sword-shaped foliage with tall, dark purple stems topped with clusters of flat buds.
Landscape Value
An excellent choice to plant pondside, or in boggy areas with standing water, 'Purple Flame' excels in regular garden soils as well.
Care
Watering:
'Purple Flame' Multicolored Iris requires a fair amount of supplemental watering and often requires watering on a regular basis during the growing season.
Fertilizing:
'Purple Flame' Multicolored Iris is a moderate feeder, benefiting from a couple of annual applications of slow release fertilizer. A spring application of a 3-1-2 ratio (such as a 15-5-10) can be applied at a rate of about 10 pounds per 1000 square feet, and during early fall, an application of a 2-1-2 ratio (such as a 10-5-10) can be applied to encourage root development and cold hardiness.
Pruning:
'Purple Flame' Multicolored Iris should be pruned while dormant during late fall or winter.