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Gerald L. Klingaman
Iridaceae
Iris tectorum
Japanese Roof Iris
The foliage of Japanese roof iris is almost as interesting as its flowers. The broad, flat fans of sword-like leaves give rise to stems of violet-blue, crested iris flowers in spring. This iris is native to Korea, Japan and southern China where is favors forest edges, sunny banks, moist meadows and damp watersides. This vigorous, clump-forming perennial was traditionally used to stabilize and decorate thatched roofs, which explains its common name.
Attractive fans of the glossy ribbed leaves appear in mid-spring and are quickly followed by stems of flowers. The informal blooms are pale blue-violet with white crests and darker veins on the falls. After pollination by insects, brown capsules full of black seeds are produced.
Grow Japanese roof iris in organic-rich, evenly moist soil with average drainage and a slightly acid pH. Light or partial shade is preferred. If summer conditions become exceedingly hot and dry it will succumb to early dormancy. This vigorous perennial looks great tucked under shrubs or along the edge of a shaded woodland or moist rockery. The common variety 'Alba' has clean white flowers with yellow markings.
This and other iris species are toxic to all animals (people included). To learn more visit the Cornell Poisonous Plants Database: http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/php/plants.php?action=indiv&byname=scientific&keynum=47
9 - 3
5 - 9
H1, H2, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Perennial
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
10"-16" / 25.4cm - 40.6cm
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
Late Spring, Early Summer
China, Japan, Korea
Acidic, Neutral
Average
Clay, Loam, Sand
Medium
Average Water
Clump-Forming
Spring, Summer
Showy
White, Lavender, Blue Violet
Bicolor
Light Green
Green
Dark Green
Yes
No
Single
Coarse
Glossy
Container, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
Sometimes
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