Yellow Walking Iris

Location

Butterfly Garden

  • Common Name: Yellow Walking Iris
  • Scientific Name: Trimezia steyermarkii
  • Family Name: Iridaceae
  • Origin: Central America
  • Height: 3 to 5 ft
  • Width: Variable – tends to form large clumps
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Zone: USDA Zones 8 through 11
  • Light needs: Full sun to part shade.
  • Salt tolerance: Low
  • Soil/pH/Texture: Is adaptable to many soil types, but grows best in low-nutrient, well-drained soils. Can withstand a wide pH range, including alkaline soil.
  • Moisture: Adaptable water needs. Tolerant of waterlogged soil.
  • Drought tolerance: Drought tolerant once established.
  • Pests/Diseases: No major pests or diseases.
  • Growing conditions: This plant should be grown in a warm, humid area in full or part sun. It is a low maintenance and adaptable plant, being drought tolerant once established. It is also tolerant of waterlogged soil, although well-drained soil is preferable.
  • Characteristics: This plant forms large, grass-like clumps. The leaves are large, flat, and grass-like, often drooping as they reach full height. Each plant has many of these leaves which emerge directly from the soil from the center of the plant. Flowers grow on stems which emerge directly from the base of the plant. These flowers have three large petals and three small petals, and are bright yellow with brownish-purple spots near the center.
  • Propagation: By division of clumps or rhizomes, or by planting the off-sets that grow from inflorescences.
  • Wildlife: Some bees pollinate the flowers.
  • Facts: The flowers are short lived, usually only lasting a day, but the plant blooms very often.
  • Designer considerations: Commonly used as an ornamental border. It is especially useful for low or shady areas where other flowering plants may struggle. It is also a good choice for ground cover because of its clump forming habit.
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