I have in the gardens five different cultivars of spuria iris, all pass along plants originally, and now after many years, large clumps. Four of the five are in full bloom at this time, while the fifth will bloom heavily for the first time this season. It is, to the best of my knowledge, a yellow.
Most spurias are hybrids of species that are found in Southern Europe and Afghanistan. These modern hybrids can grow to five feet in height under the right conditions... the ones I have are generally in the four foot range.
The beardless Spurias do best in areas that have dry summers...that is not always the case here, but we frequently have a lengthy period of dryness and I have them in soil with good drainage and they appear to be quite happy. They are probably more common in areas such as the southwest and California because of their need for a dry period after July 1st. I generally have not concerned myself with this requirement and have had few problems with rot.
One aspect of our success is that we have neutral soil and spurias enjoy that or slightly alkaline soil. A heavier soil is preferred to sandy soil. They also are heavy feeders, although I haven't done much in that regard to date. One of the plants does get high phosphate fertilizer which I've used on a shy blooming sweet autumn clematis just behind the purple spuria pictured above..
Older spuria clumps are said to do well to a width of five to six feet... I'm afraid that's more space than I have available and one of these days transplanting will become necessary.
Spurias resent transplanting and mine have been moved once some years ago... it was awhile before I got blooms again. If I were to divide them again, I think I would do so in July rather than in spring.
Spurias make a nice presence in the garden throughout the season, whether in bloom or not.
Additionally, their drought tolerance, especially after bloom, is another factor in their favor.
Take care, Larry
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