Iris Iris 'Alison Taylor' (IB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Alison Taylor' is a captivating perennial known for its ornate flowers and lush foliage. The plant showcases blooms that are a blend of subtle yellow and creamy tones, adorned with intricate veining and markings that may vary from bloom to bloom. These flowers are composed of three upright petals, known as standards, and three downward-curling petals called falls, creating a symmetrical and balanced appearance. In the center of the falls, there is often a beard-like feature that may be tinged with lighter or darker color variations, adding to the flower's detailed and textured look. The foliage of Iris 'Alison Taylor' consists of long, sword-shaped leaves that are a dynamic, deep green color, which contrasts beautifully with the gentle hues of the flowers. These leaves grow in a clumped formation, emerging from a strong, rhizomatous root system that anchors the plant and allows it to flourish year after year. The overall appearance of Iris 'Alison Taylor' is one of elegance and charm, providing a captivating display when in bloom, and leaving a structured and attractive silhouette within the garden when not.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Alison Taylor Iris, Intermediate Bearded Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Alison Taylor'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Iris 'Alison Taylor' or bearded iris is not considered highly toxic to humans, but it may cause mild stomach upset if ingested. Handling the plant may also result in skin irritation due to the presence of certain compounds like irisin, iridin, or possibly allergenic oils among other components within the plant's tissues. If someone eats parts of this iris, they might experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. In general, though, iris poisoning is not common and often only occurs when large amounts are consumed. Bearded iris is mainly a concern due to its potential to cause skin irritation, hence it is advised to wash hands after handling and to avoid ingesting any portion of the plant.
- To pets
  Bearded iris, including the variety 'Alison Taylor', is considered to be potentially toxic to pets such as dogs and cats if ingested. The rhizomes (underground stems) contain irisin, iridin, and potentially toxic resins that can cause gastrointestinal irritation. Symptoms of bearded iris poisoning in pets may include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or abdominal pain. As with humans, skin irritation can also occur if pets come into contact with the sap. To ensure the safety of pets, it is recommended to prevent them from chewing on or ingesting any part of the plant, particularly the rhizomes. If you suspect your pet has ingested bearded iris, contact your veterinarian for appropriate advice and treatment.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3-9
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Enhances Garden Aesthetics: The Iris 'Alison Taylor' adds striking colors and unique form to any garden setting.
- Easy to Grow: Known for being a low-maintenance plant, which makes it suitable for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of low water, making it suitable for xeriscaping or drought-prone areas.
- Seasonal Interest: It blooms in late spring or early summer, providing seasonal color when many other plants have yet to flower.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers can attract butterflies and other pollinators, enhancing the biodiversity in your garden.
- Decorative Cut Flowers: The blooms can be cut and used in floral arrangements to brighten up indoor spaces.
- Versatility in Landscaping: Suitable for a variety of landscaping uses such as borders, containers, and as a specimen plant.
- Cold Hardy: It is generally resistant to cold and can survive in cooler climates, making it a robust addition to the garden.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Edible Decoration: The petals of the Iris 'Alison Taylor' can be crystallized and used to adorn cakes or desserts for an elegant touch.
- Photography Subject: Due to its striking colors and form, this iris makes an excellent subject for botanical photographers and artists.
- Eco-Friendly Dye: The Iris 'Alison Taylor' petals can be used to create natural dyes for fabric, yarn, or paper.
- Garden Themed Crafts: Pressed flowers from the iris can be used in scrapbooking, card making, or other paper crafts for a garden-themed embellishment.
- Scented Potpourri: Dried petals and leaves of the iris can be included in potpourri mixes for a light, flowery scent.
- Symbolic Gift: In the language of flowers, the iris represents wisdom, hope, and trust, making it a meaningful gift for various occasions.
- Fish Pond Complement: Planting Iris 'Alison Taylor' near garden ponds can provide a natural and beautiful backdrop for fish ponds and aquatic features.
- Flower Arranging: Iris 'Alison Taylor' can be part of a floral arrangement for its beauty and to add height and structure to the composition.
- Perfumery Inspiration: Though not commonly used for perfumes, the scent of the iris can inspire scented products such as candles or room fresheners.
- Teaching Tool: The Iris 'Alison Taylor' can be used in educational settings, like botany classes, to illustrate plant anatomy and pollination.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Iris is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Faith: The Iris often symbolizes faith, trust, and belief in various cultures and historical contexts.
- Hope: Known for its resilience and ability to bloom after a harsh winter, the Iris embodies hope for the future.
- Wisdom: In some traditions, notably Greek mythology, the Iris is connected with wisdom and valued for its deep, insightful presence.
- Courage: Because of its bold appearance and the way it stands out in a garden, the Iris can represent courage and admiration.
- Purity: The Iris is sometimes associated with purity and innocence, particularly the white-colored varieties.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-5 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Alison Taylor' should be watered deeply to encourage deep root growth, typically needing this level of watering about once a week under normal weather conditions. During hot, dry periods, the watering frequency should be increased to every 4-5 days. It is important to avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot, so ensure the soil has dried out slightly between waterings. An average of 1 to 1.5 gallons per plant per week should suffice, adjusting as necessary based on weather conditions and soil drainage.
Light
Intermediate Bearded Iris, including 'Alison Taylor', thrives best in full sun conditions, receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. An ideal spot would be a south-facing garden bed free from the shade of trees or structures to ensure adequate sunlight for vigorous growth and optimal blooming.
Temperature
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Alison Taylor' can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but performs best when the daytime temperature is between 55°F and 75°F. They can survive temperatures as low as -10°F to -20°F during dormancy in the winter with adequate mulching, and up to 90°F in the summer, although prolonged heat can stress the plant.
Pruning
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Alison Taylor' should be pruned to remove dead or diseased foliage, which promotes healthy air circulation and mitigates disease risk. Pruning is best done after blooming, typically late summer, by cutting back flower stalks to the base of the plant. Additionally, old and brown leaves can be trimmed away at the outside of the clump to tidy the plant and encourage new growth.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Alison Taylor' thrives in well-draining soil, a mix of loam and sandy soil is ideal, enriched with organic matter. The optimal soil pH for this iris is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.8 to 7.0.
Repotting
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Alison Taylor' typically doesn't need frequent repotting; it should be divided and repotted every 3 to 4 years to maintain vigor and flower production.
Humidity & Misting
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Alison Taylor' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels but does best with moderate humidity, avoiding extremely high humidity to prevent rot and disease.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light and good air circulation for Intermediate Bearded Iris.
- Outdoor
  Plant in a sunny spot with well-draining soil and space rhizomes apart.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of Iris 'Alison Taylor', commonly known as the Intermediate Bearded Iris, begins with seed germination, which occurs in late spring or summer, given the right conditions of warmth and moisture. Next, seedlings develop into juvenile plants, and over the course of the first season, they establish a root system and produce the characteristic sword-like leaves. As they mature, irises form a rhizome, a horizontal stem from which new shoots and roots grow; this stage can take a couple of years before the plant is ready to flower. The flowering stage occurs typically in late spring to early summer, where the plant produces vibrant yellow blossoms that attract pollinators and subsequently set seeds. After the flowering phase, the plant enters a period of dormancy in late summer to autumn, where growth slows and the foliage may die back, especially in colder climates. Finally, the plant's life cycle can repeat itself through vegetative reproduction by division of the rhizome, which gardeners often do every few years to prevent overcrowding and to maintain plant vigor.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to summer
- Propogation: The best time to propagate Iris 'Alison Taylor', commonly known as an Intermediate Bearded Iris, is generally late summer to early fall, after the blooming season has ended and the plant is dormant. Dividing rhizomes is the most popular method used for propagating these plants. This involves carefully digging up the iris clumps and washing the soil off the rhizomes. Look for healthy sections of rhizome that have at least one fan of leaves and a set of roots. Use a sharp knife to cut these sections apart, making sure each piece is about 3 to 4 inches (approximately 7.5 to 10 cm) long. The cut surfaces should be allowed to dry for a few hours to form a callous, which helps prevent rot. Replant these divisions promptly, spacing them about 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) apart to allow for growth, and make sure the rhizome is partially exposed above the soil surface to prevent rotting.