Iris lazica (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Late winter to early spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 30cm
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 7a – 10a
Family: Iridaceae
Iris lazica is a clump forming evergreen herbaceous perennial. Its glossy mid green leaves are strap like with entire margins, up to 30cm long and 1.5cm broad. Its lavender blue flowers are up to 8cm across and appear on short stems. Its fruit is a capsule which contains numerous seeds. Its roots are rhizomes which aids its spread.
Iris lazica, commonly known as the Lazistan Iris, is native to Turkey and the Black Sea coast.
The etymological root of the binomial name Iris is derived from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colours found among the many species. Lazica is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Lazistan’, north east Turkey.
The landscape architect may find Iris lazica useful as an evergreen winter flowering herbaceous perennial which is suitable for shady locations.
Ecologically, Iris lazica fllowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Iris lazica their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1994.
Iris lazica Flower (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Iris lazica prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers alkaline to neutral pH of soil.
Iris lazica requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided from mid summer to early autumn.
