Japanese Roof Iris Iris Tectorum

Rich moist well drained and slightly acid.

Japanese roof iris iris tectorum.

Or perhaps it was for purely pragmatic reasons to help hold the thatch together. Foliage is arranged in fans of narrow lance shaped ribbed glossy upright leaves that can become somewhat floppy. Iris tectorum or japanese roof iris is a large flowering evansia iris crested iris that grows well in a humus rich damp position. Some sources suggest that when space became too precious for anything but food crops japanese women who used the powdered rhizomes as a face powder began growing iris tectorum on their thatch roofs.

Can spread rapidly in the garden. Noteworthy characteristics iris tectorum is a 15 tall species of the crested iris group featuring large 6 across beardless bright lilac purple flowers with falls which are crested white. Japanese roof iris responds well to fertilization during the growing season. It is drought tolerant once established but maintains its best appearance with consistent moisture.

The name japanese roof iris comes from the tradition of this iris being grown on the damp thatched roofs of japanese cottages to help hold the thatch together. It is hardy to zone uk 6. The leaves are 15 inches tall fanned at the base and ribbed. Also known as japanese roof iris iris tectorumprefers part sun to sun with some afternoon protection and moist to average well drained soil.

It is native of china korea and burma with lavender blue bluish violet purple blue blue lilac or sky blue flowers. Spring fertilization and heavy mulch in spring and fall. The roof iris is native to china but was first discovered in the 1860s growing in japan on the roofs hence the common name. Though the bloom is large at 6 inches the standards are shortened and tubular and the falls widespread.

One of my favorite species is japanese roof iris iris tectorum. Iris tectorum also known as roof iris japanese roof iris and wall iris is a plant species in the genus iris it is also in the subgenus limniris. Full sun preferred but some shade tolerated unlike many other iris soil. Other legends indicate it was used to ward off evil spirits.

The species is hermaphrodite has both male and female organs and is pollinated by insects. Iris tectorum is an evergreen perennial growing to 0 3 m 1ft by 0 5 m 1ft 8in at a medium rate. Roof iris or root iris. One to two tablespoons complete fertilizer 10 10 10 before blooming.

It grows about a foot tall with a spreading rhizomatous habit common to most irises. It is grown on thatch roofs in japan hence its most common vernacular name. Or is it a wall iris. There is a white form as well.

Japanese roof iris are an example of the great diversity of exotic iris species coming into the nursery industry with varied colors and flower formations. It is a rhizomatous perennial.