Xeramtheum's Mystery Iris - We Have A Bloom!!!! in the Irises forum

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Xeramtheum

Feb 4, 2016 9:39 AM CST

Thread OP

Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!

Our usual end of January beginning of February warm up occurred and my Mystery Iris bloomed. So who is this guy?

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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| @Xeramtheum | Post #1050957 (1)

crowrita1

Feb 4, 2016 10:01 AM CST

Name: Arlyn
Whiteside County, Illinois (Zone 5a)

not a clue, but.....he's a handsome fella !!

| @crowrita1 | Post #1050965 (2)

Lestv

Feb 4, 2016 10:14 AM CST

Name: Leslie
Durham, NC (Zone 8a)

How big is the bloom? Hard to tell in the pic, but that would help narrow down the choices.

"The chimera is a one time happenstance event where the plant has a senior moment and forgets what it is doing." - Paul Black

| @Lestv | Post #1050974 (3)

UndertheSun

Feb 4, 2016 10:27 AM CST

(Zone 9b)

Over here some people call it the African Iris, otherwise known as the Butterfly Iris in the "Dietes" family. I've seen some nurseries list it as the Fortnight Lily.
Butterfly Iris (Dietes grandiflora)

More from Dietes: http://garden.org/plants/searc...

Some photos from my garden.

Don't remove the bloom stalks (until they die) as those stalks will continue to produce flowers. Keep an eye on the seed pods too, I literally pull out 1000's of babies from these a year. I like them and have them all over my garden. If anyone wants some, let me know.

| @UndertheSun | Post #1050983 (4)

Xeramtheum

Feb 4, 2016 10:31 AM CST

Thread OP

Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!

We're in the middle of a 'rain train' so if the color looks off it's because I was using a red umbrella.

Looks to be about 4 inches.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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| @Xeramtheum | Post #1050988 (5)

Xeramtheum

Feb 4, 2016 10:32 AM CST

Thread OP

Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!

Butterfly Iris! Thanks!

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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| @Xeramtheum | Post #1050989 (6)

Lestv

Feb 4, 2016 12:53 PM CST

Name: Leslie
Durham, NC (Zone 8a)

Wow, bigger than I expected. Sure are pretty.

"The chimera is a one time happenstance event where the plant has a senior moment and forgets what it is doing." - Paul Black

| @Lestv | Post #1051061 (7)

Xeramtheum

Feb 4, 2016 2:51 PM CST

Thread OP

Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!

Indeed! It's probably prettier when it's dry rather than soaking wet.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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| @Xeramtheum | Post #1051141 (8)

gemini_sage

Feb 4, 2016 2:52 PM CST

Name: Neal Linville
Winchester, KY (Zone 6a)

They're more cold hardy than I thought, still don't think they would make it here. What kind of roots structure do they have (rhizome, bulb, etc.)?

Leslie, looks like they grow in your zone

"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi

| @gemini_sage | Post #1051142 (9)

Xeramtheum

Feb 4, 2016 3:00 PM CST

Thread OP

Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!

Neal, here's a picture of the roots.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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| @Xeramtheum | Post #1051150 (10)

gemini_sage

Feb 4, 2016 6:21 PM CST

Name: Neal Linville
Winchester, KY (Zone 6a)

Thank you! Looks like rhizomes.

"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi

| @gemini_sage | Post #1051316 (11)

UndertheSun

Feb 4, 2016 7:31 PM CST

(Zone 9b)

Yes, they are rhizomes and they will tolerate drought conditions too.

| @UndertheSun | Post #1051384 (12)

lovemyhouse

Feb 4, 2016 7:39 PM CST

Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi

UndertheSun said:Over here some people call it the African Iris, otherwise known as the Butterfly Iris in the "Dietes" family.

I like them and have them all over my garden. If anyone wants some, let me know.

I do, I do!!!!

It’s okay to not know all the answers.

| @lovemyhouse | Post #1051394 (13)

UndertheSun

Feb 4, 2016 7:41 PM CST

(Zone 9b)

How much would you like Deb?

| @UndertheSun | Post #1051398 (14)

lovemyhouse

Feb 4, 2016 7:43 PM CST

Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi

Smaller than a breadbox full?

It’s okay to not know all the answers.

| @lovemyhouse | Post #1051399 (15)

iciris

Feb 4, 2016 7:48 PM CST

Name: Barbara
Northern CA (Zone 9a)

Rob, they must be happy in your yard. I've never had them grow by their seeds.

• “Whoever said, ‘Do something right and you won’t have to do it again’ never weeded a garden.” – Anonymous

| @iciris | Post #1051406 (16)

UndertheSun

Feb 4, 2016 7:56 PM CST

(Zone 9b)

Ok Deb, because I can easily fill up a trunk.

OMG Barbara, I have them sprouting everywhere! I have thinned out the number of clumps I had since it was a great place for the rattlers to hide. Don't worry Deb, it was only because there was a mass planting in that area.

| @UndertheSun | Post #1051417 (17)

Lestv

Feb 4, 2016 9:11 PM CST

Name: Leslie
Durham, NC (Zone 8a)

Do they tolerate heat and humidity? If so send some my way. Always eager to add to my iris varieties.

"The chimera is a one time happenstance event where the plant has a senior moment and forgets what it is doing." - Paul Black

| @Lestv | Post #1051480 (18)

Xeramtheum

Feb 4, 2016 9:56 PM CST

Thread OP

Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!

Hmmm .. I'm getting the feeling that I need to cut off all spent blooms ... starting to sound a lot like they could be a potential problem here in zone 8.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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| @Xeramtheum | Post #1051499 (19)

Last edited by Xeramtheum Feb 4, 2016 9:56 PM

lovemyhouse

Feb 4, 2016 10:10 PM CST

Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi