Tall Bearded Iris Iris 'Brave New World' (TB)

☠ Toxic to humans
🐾 Toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
iris 'Brave New World'

ABOUT

The Iris 'Brave New World' is a distinct and captivating plant that is part of the tall bearded iris category. It is celebrated for its highly decorative flowers, which are large and flamboyant. The blooms exhibit a stunning blend of colors, often featuring a contrast between the falls, which are the downward hanging segments of the petals, and the standards, which are the upright parts of the petals. The falls of this iris are typically a deep, rich violet or a similarly dark hue that can appear almost velvety in texture. The falls may be adorned with an attractive, lighter or white-colored "beard," which is a fuzzy line that runs down the middle of the falls, providing a stark, eye-catching contrast. The standards contrast with the falls by standing upright and often presenting a lighter shade, possibly a soft lavender, lilac, or even a creamy, pale yellow. This contrast creates a delightful interplay of colors, making the flower particularly noticeable in a garden setting. The leaves of the 'Brave New World' are sword-shaped, providing a strong vertical element with their upright stance and blue-green color. They contribute to the overall structural elegance of the plant, forming a suitable backdrop for the dramatic blossoms. Overall, Iris 'Brave New World' presents an alluring display with its dramatic, contrasting blooms, elegant form, and striking foliage, which altogether create a visually appealing addition to any garden.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Iridaceae

    • Synonyms

      Tall Bearded Iris, Bearded Iris

    • Common names

      Iris 'Brave New World' (TB).

  • skullToxicity

    • To humans

      Iris 'Brave New World' is a type of Tall Bearded Iris, and like other irises, can be toxic if ingested. The rhizomes (underground stems) and bulb-like structures of Iris plants contain irisin, iridin, or irisine – substances that can cause severe digestive upset. If ingested, symptoms of poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in some cases, excessive salivation. Contact with the sap can also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

    • To pets

      Tall Bearded Iris, including the Iris 'Brave New World', is toxic to pets if ingested. The primary toxic components are concentrated in the rhizomes. If a pet consumes part of the plant, they may show signs of gastrointestinal distress, which can include symptoms like vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and diarrhea. In severe cases, there could be a risk of more serious effects like low blood pressure and organ damage. Pets showing symptoms of Iris poisoning should be taken to a veterinarian.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Perennials

    • Foliage type

      Deciduous

    • Color of leaves

      Green

    • Flower color

      Mixed

    • Height

      3 feet [91 cm]

    • Spread

      1 feet [30 cm]

    • Plant type

      Bulb

    • Hardiness zones

      3

    • Native area

      North America

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Visual Appeal: Iris 'Brave New World' has striking, large flowers that lend elegance and color to gardens.
    • Easy to Grow: This plant is known for being hardy and able to thrive in a variety of conditions with minimal care.
    • Drought Tolerance: Once established, Irises can tolerate periods of drought, making them suitable for drier climates or water-wise gardens.
    • Pest Resistance: Irises are generally resistant to many common garden pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
    • Seasonal Interest: The Iris 'Brave New World' blooms typically in late spring to early summer, providing seasonal interest in the garden.
    • Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, supporting local ecosystems.
    • Perennial Growth: As a perennial, this Iris will return year after year, filling the garden with color without the need for replanting.
    • Variety of Uses: Suitable for use in borders, as a focal point, or in mass plantings, offering diverse landscaping options.
    • Cut Flower: The blooms make for beautiful cut flower arrangements, adding indoor aesthetic value.
    • Cultural Significance: Irises have been associated with royalty and elegance and hold symbolic meaning in various cultures.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    This plant is not used for medical purposes.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • The Iris 'Brave New World' can be used in fabric dyeing, providing a range of colors depending on the part of the plant used.
    • Its fibers may be used in papermaking, contributing both strength and decorative elements to handmade papers.
    • The stems can be woven into baskets or used as natural plant stakes in gardens to support other plants.
    • The dried seed pods of the iris can be used in floral arrangements for added texture and interest.
    • Petals of this Iris can be used to create natural inks for art and calligraphy.
    • The blooms can be pressed and included in unique, botanical artwork or decorative crafts like resin jewelry.
    • Iris petals may be used as a natural pH indicator, changing color in the presence of certain substances.
    • The robust root system can help with soil erosion control by stabilizing banks and slopes.
    • Dried iris rhizomes can be used in potpourris and sachets, providing a subtle fragrance.
    • The plant's unique form and silhouette can inspire design elements in architecture or fashion.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Iris is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The Iris is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Hope: The Iris often symbolizes hope, indicating an expectation for positive outcomes and the anticipation of good things to come.
    • Wisdom: This flower can also represent wisdom, perhaps due to its regal appearance and the historical significance of the fleur-de-lis, a stylized iris, as a symbol of learning and knowledge.
    • Courage: With a cultivar name like 'Brave New World', the iris might evoke a sense of bravery and the courage to face the unknown.
    • Faith: The iris is sometimes associated with faith, representing belief and trust in spiritual matters or in the face of adversity.
    • Purity: Due to its striking appearance and clean lines, the iris can be symbolic of purity and innocence.
    • Royalty: The historical connection to French royalty lends the iris a regal air, often making it a symbol of majesty and elegance.

💧
Every week
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
6%
Humidity
🪴
Every 3-5 years
Repotting
🌱️
Late summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning

  • water dropWater

    Tall Bearded Irises like 'Brave New World' require moderate watering. During the growth season, especially if weather conditions are dry, water the iris deeply once a week, providing about a gallon of water per plant to ensure a deep soak. Avoid watering the foliage directly to reduce the risk of rot and fungal diseases. Decrease watering after the blooming period and during the fall to prepare the plant for dormancy. In winter, watering is generally unnecessary unless there are prolonged dry spells.

  • sunLight

    Tall Bearded Iris 'Brave New World' thrives best in full sun conditions. Ensure it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for the plant is an area with bright, uninterrupted light, shielded from strong afternoon sun in very hot climates, which can scorch the leaves.

  • thermometerTemperature

    The Tall Bearded Iris 'Brave New World' can endure temperatures as low as -20°F and as high as 90°F. However, the ideal temperature range for this iris is between 55°F and 75°F, which promotes healthy growth and flowering. Ensure proper mulching to safeguard the rhizomes in winter.

  • scissorsPruning

    Pruning, or deadheading, Tall Bearded Irises like 'Brave New World' encourages more blooms and prevents seed formation which can sap energy from the plant. After blooming, cut back flower stalks to the base. In late summer or early fall, trim the foliage to about 6 inches to tidy up the plant and reduce wind damage. Prune away any brown or damaged leaves as needed throughout the growing season.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    The Tall Bearded Iris 'Brave New World' prefers a well-draining soil mix with a pH of slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.1 to 7.0). A good mix can be made with equal parts of loamy garden soil, compost, and coarse sand or perlite to ensure adequate drainage.

  • plantRepotting

    Tall Bearded Iris 'Brave New World' should be repotted or divided every 2 to 5 years to rejuvenate the clumps and promote vigorous growth.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Bearded Iris 'Brave New World' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but thrives best in moderate conditions, without the need for high humidity.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Provide bright light and good airflow for indoor growing.

    • Outdoor

      Plant in full sun, well-drained soil; divide every few years.

    • Hardiness zone

      3-9 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    The life cycle of the Tall Bearded Iris 'Brave New World' begins with seed germination, typically after a period of stratification or cold treatment to break dormancy. The seedlings develop into juvenile plants with characteristic sword-like leaves but may take several years to reach maturity and bloom. Once mature, the irises show robust growth in the spring, culminating in the display of large, showy flowers usually in late spring to early summer. After blooming, the plants enter a period of vegetative growth where they store energy in their rhizomes for the next season. In late summer to fall, gardeners often divide the rhizomes to propagate new plants and rejuvenate older clumps. The plant then goes into a period of dormancy during the colder months, only to restart the cycle come next spring.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Late summer

    • Propogation: The Iris 'Brave New World', part of the Tall Bearded (TB) group, is frequently propagated through division, which is the most popular method for this type of iris. Propagation by division is best done in late summer after the blooming season has ended. A clump of iris should be carefully dug up, and individual rhizomes should be separated by breaking them apart at the natural joints or cutting through the rhizome with a sharp knife, ensuring that each section has at least one fan of leaves and roots attached. The leaves are typically trimmed to a one-third of their original height, which is about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) in order to reduce water loss. The divisions are then replanted promptly, typically no deeper than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) with the top of the rhizome exposed to the sun, spaced approximately 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow room for growth. This method allows the Iris 'Brave New World' to establish and multiply quickly, ready for flowering in the following seasons.

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