Intermediate Bearded Iris Iris 'Arctic Fancy' (IB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Arctic Fancy' is a beautiful perennial plant known for its striking flowers and attractive foliage. The plant showcases blooms that exhibit a remarkable color palette ranging from white to a cool blue-violet, typically with a unique, contrasting pattern on the falls, which are the downward curving parts of the petals. The standards, or the upright petals, often stand regal and add to the dimension of the flower. In the center, the beards, which are fuzzy extensions on the petals, may be highlighted with a splash of bright yellow or white, drawing in the eye and setting off the cooler tones of the bloom. The flowers of Iris 'Arctic Fancy' are carried on strong, erect stems that rise above the foliage. The leaves are long and blade-like, with a rich green color and a slightly arching habit, creating a vertical element in the garden. Overall, the striking blossoms and lush foliage combine to make Iris 'Arctic Fancy' a beautiful addition to any garden with its cool, serene colors and elegant form. Its distinctive and ornamental appearance makes it a favorite among garden enthusiasts and flower admirers alike.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Intermediate Bearded Iris, IB Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Arctic Fancy' (IB)
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant in question, commonly known as the Iris, is considered to have a low level of toxicity to humans. If ingested, parts of the Iris, particularly the rhizomes, can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Symptoms may include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact with the sap can also result in skin irritation for sensitive individuals. In general, it is advisable to avoid eating any part of an Iris plant to prevent these adverse reactions.
- To pets
  The Iris plant is also toxic to pets. If a pet, such as a dog or a cat, ingests part of an Iris, particularly the rhizomes or bulbs, they may experience symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. Severe cases could lead to more serious gastrointestinal upset. If you suspect your pet has consumed any part of an Iris plant, it is recommended to contact your veterinarian promptly.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Varied
- Height
  2 feet (0.61 meters)
- Spread
  1 foot (0.30 meters)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Temporate Northern Hemisphere

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: Adds aesthetic appeal to gardens with its striking blue and white flowers.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Iris 'Arctic Fancy' can withstand periods of low water, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Cold Hardy: It's capable of surviving and thriving in cold climates.
- Pest Resistance: Generally resistant to pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
- Easy Propagation: Can be easily propagated through division, making it cost-effective for gardeners to spread plants throughout their landscape.
- Seasonal Interest: Provides early to mid-spring blooms, offering color in the garden when few other plants are in flower.
- Soil Stabilization: Its root system can help prevent soil erosion, which is beneficial for slope stabilization and bank reinforcement.
- Food Source for Pollinators: Flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, apart from occasional dividing to manage growth.
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
- The dried rhizomes of Iris can be ground to produce an aromatic powder used in traditional potpourri to add a pleasant scent to clothing and linens.
- Iris 'Arctic Fancy' can be utilized in floral art, where the striking flowers are preserved in a glycerin solution to maintain their color and form for decorative purposes.
- The fibrous leaves of the Iris can be woven or braided into small baskets or mats for rustic or garden-themed crafts.
- Some gardeners use the sturdy, upright foliage of Iris 'Arctic Fancy' as natural supports for other, more delicate plants in the garden.
- The petals of the Iris can be used in a natural dyeing process to color textiles or artisanal paper, yielding shades of blue, purple, or yellow depending on the mordant.
- Pressed Iris flowers are often featured in craft projects such as making bookmarks, handmade cards, or in scrapbooking for decorative embellishments.
- Iris blooms can be candied and used as elegant edible decorations on cakes and desserts, although they must be confirmed as free from pesticides and safe for culinary use.
- The contrasting foliage and blooms of Iris 'Arctic Fancy' can be used in photography as a striking natural background for portrait and macro photography.
- In landscape design, the Iris is sometimes used as a natural water biofilter in water garden features, as they can help absorb excess nutrients and reduce algae growth.
- Gardeners may plant Iris 'Arctic Fancy' strategically to attract beneficial insects, such as certain types of bees and butterflies, which contribute to pollination in the garden.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Iris is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Wisdom: Iris is often associated with wisdom due to its namesake, the Greek goddess Iris, who was known for her messages and link between gods and humanity.
- Hope: The plant's hardy nature and ability to bloom in less favorable conditions symbolize hope and faith that one can get through challenging times.
- Purity: The Iris 'Arctic Fancy', with its clean, pristine white petals, often signifies purity and innocence, much like the clear and untouched nature of Arctic landscapes.
- Courage: Historically, the iris has represented courage, as it's a flower that can stand tall and bloom boldly in a variety of circumstances.
- Royalty: The elegant form of the iris and its regal hues are symbolic of royalty and nobility, suggesting a stately beauty and sense of command.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Bearded irises like the Iris 'Arctic Fancy' should be watered thoroughly after planting and then sparingly, as they prefer not to be kept in overly moist soil. They require deep watering every two weeks during the growing season if there hasn't been significant rainfall, but always allow the soil to nearly dry out between waterings. Generally, they need approximately one inch of water per week, including precipitation. During dry spells, it's crucial to water them more frequently to keep them healthy. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage and do not let the plant sit in waterlogged soil.
Light
The Iris 'Arctic Fancy' thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sun per day to bloom well. A spot that receives morning sun and some afternoon shade can also be suitable, but too much shade will reduce flowering and can lead to disease. Ensure that the planting site is bright and not overshadowed by larger plants or structures.
Temperature
The Iris 'Arctic Fancy' can tolerate a range of temperatures but grows best when daytime temperatures are between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive winter temperatures down to approximately 14 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from extreme cold. The ideal climate for this iris is one with cool to moderate temperatures and not excessively hot or cold extremes.
Pruning
Pruning the Iris 'Arctic Fancy', commonly called "deadheading," involves removing spent blooms to promote a tidy appearance and encourage reblooming. After the flowering season, cut back the flower stalks to the base but leave the foliage intact to allow the plant to gather energy for the next season. Complete pruning by removing any brown or damaged leaves in the fall to deter disease and pests. It's typically done on an as-needed basis throughout the growing season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Arctic Fancy' thrives in well-draining soil enhanced with compost or well-rotted manure, having a neutral to slightly acidic pH of 6.8 to 7.0. A good mix might include equal parts garden soil, perlite, and peat moss.
Repotting
Intermediate Bearded Irises including 'Arctic Fancy' generally do not need frequent repotting and can be divided every 3 to 5 years to maintain vigor and flowering.
Humidity & Misting
Intermediate Bearded Irises like 'Arctic Fancy' are tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and do not require specific humidity conditions to thrive.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, cool temps, and minimal water to grow 'Arctic Fancy' indoors.
- Outdoor
  Plant 'Arctic Fancy' in sun, well-draining soil, and water sparingly.
- Hardiness zone
  'Arctic Fancy' performs best in USDA zones 3-9.
Life cycle
The life of an Iris 'Arctic Fancy' (Intermediate Bearded Iris) begins with seed germination, usually preceded by a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. After sprouting, the young seedlings develop into juvenile plants with thin, strap-like leaves. As the Iris matures, it forms a rhizome, an underground stem, which stores nutrients and energy for perennial growth. Each spring, the rhizome produces new foliage and flowering stems, with the characteristic showy blossoms that may vary in color but often have white, blue, or purple hues. After blooming, the flower stems wilt, and the plant enters a period of vegetative growth, during which the rhizome expands, often giving rise to offsets or daughter plants. During winter dormancy, the plant's above-ground foliage may die back, but the rhizome remains alive beneath the soil surface, ready to regenerate the following spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Iris 'Arctic Fancy', a type of bearded iris, is most commonly propagated through division. The best time for dividing bearded irises is late summer after they have bloomed, typically from July to September. To propagate by division, carefully lift the clump of the iris out of the ground with a garden fork, taking care not to damage the rhizomes. Gently shake off the soil and wash the rhizomes if needed to see them clearly. Look for healthy sections of rhizome that have at least one or two leaf fans. Using a sharp knife, cut the rhizomes into sections, making sure that each division has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the roots attached. Replant the divisions at ground level, spaced about 12 to 24 inches apart (30 to 61 cm) to give them room to grow. It’s important not to plant them too deeply as this can hinder their ability to flower.