Iris

Martin has at last dug out the Iris I. pseudacorus (I think) the common yellow one. Its great on the river bank, but too vigerour for the pond.

Which slower growing Irid does anyone reccomend to replace it with and any idea where to get one from please?

 

Couldn't you keep one contained in a pot in the pond?

 

The yellow iris was in a concrete container and so compacter the I could not get it out, I was worrried that it may even break the concrete as it was growing so fast.

 

Hi Waco,

My "pond book" (Water gardening for everyone, by Phillip Swindells) says that "our native water iris is ... ...I. psedacorus (yellow flag). An amiable plant it is true, but rather too coarse and vigorous for the average garden pool."

Similar plants he recommends are "its more refined cultivar "Golden Queen"" and "the soft primrose form bastardi" or "the golden and green variegated foliage variety "Variegata"", which he seems to be saying are less vigorous.

He also recommends Iris laevigata (saying it's "charming and unpretentious" which I take to mean "won't try and take over"), and is rather sniffy about the cultivars (which I think have more dramatic flowers) but seems to be saying they're ok if you like that sort of thing! He says Iris kaempferi shouldn't be submerged over winter so you should "treat it as a moisture-loving perennial".

A web page that might be helpful is Paul Bromfield Aquatics webstore's Iris page - this site was recommended to me for stocking my pond, haven't placed an order yet but probably will do soon.

Hopefully that might help although I'd understand if you'd rather wait for someone with first-hand practical experience!

 

Thanks Claire, I certainly agree about the yellow flag!

I have looked up I. laevegata and I think "unpretentious" could mean "simple in form" it looks to be a no frills type but lovely.