Neomarica caerulea 'Regina'

Plant Family

Iridaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Neomarica caerulea 'Regina'

Photo by: JAMES BURGHARDT

Plant Common Name

Giant Apostle's Iris, Walking Iris

General Description

Extra large, richly colored, fragrant flowers distinguish the versatile walking iris ‘Regina.’ Native to Brazil, this tender perennial is popular for tropical beds and greenhouses. It is very easy to grow and propagate. It grows and spreads from underground stems or rhizomes, and plantlets form at the end of the flower stems after blooming. As the plantlets grow in size and weight, the stems bend down to the ground and they root.

Walking iris is clump-forming and its leaves are broad, sword-shaped and pointed at the ends. They grow in flat, fan-like arrangements, as do most members of the Iris family. The brilliant purple-blue iris flowers are marked with white and burgundy-brown spots and borne in clusters on leafy stems held above the foliage. This species tends to bloom in succession from summer to spring, but 'Regina' may blooms for longer than average. Each flower opens for only one day. The fruits that follow are brown, three-valved capsules.

Sites with partial sun and moist, well-drained soils are ideal. Unlike most of its relatives, walking iris will not perform well at the water’s edge. It is moderately salt tolerant and is quite frost sensitive. To preserve the characteristics of this cultivar, propagate by division. The walking iris is a reliable, easy-to-grow perennial for interior and exterior landscapes. Plant it in masses as a groundcover or in large beds or containers. It is also a great houseplant in locations with bright light.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  12 - 9

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  9 - 12

• Sunset Zone

  H2, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Tender Perennial

• Sun Exposure

  Partial Sun, Partial Shade

• Height

  3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m

• Width

  4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m

• Bloom Time

  Indeterminate

• Native To

  Brazil

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

• Soil Drainage

  Average

• Soil type

  Loam, Sand

• Tolerances

  Salt

• Growth Rate

  Fast

• Water Requirements

  Average Water

• Habit

  Thicket/Colonizing

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Showy

• Flower Color

  White, Blue, Burgundy, Lavender, Blue Violet

• Flower Color Modifier

  Multi-Color

• Fruit Color

  Green, Brown

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Winter)

  Green

• Fragrant Flowers

  Yes

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  No

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Flower Petal Number

  Single

• Repeat Bloomer

  No

• Showy Fruit

  No

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  Yes

• Foliage Texture

  Coarse

• Foliage Sheen

  Matte

• Evergreen

  Yes

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Usage

  Container, Feature Plant, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Tropical

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  Sometimes

• Self-Sowing

  Yes