Spuria Iris Iris 'Destination' (Spuria)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The Iris 'Destination' is a striking plant known for its elegant and showy flowers. The blooms of this Iris are composed of multiple petals with a unique and intricate pattern. The petals are usually a harmonious blend of colors, often with a combination of soft yellows, gentle blues, and subtle purples, creating a pleasing visual effect. The flowers are carried on sturdy stems that rise above the foliage, presenting the blooms in a proud and upright position. Each flower is typically characterized by three upright petals, known as standards, and three downward-curving petals, called falls. The falls often feature a bright, contrasting beard or crest, which adds another layer of visual interest and helps to attract pollinators. Below the blooms, the plant's foliage is also quite attractive, with long, slender, sword-shaped leaves that give it a lush, grass-like appearance. These leaves are usually a rich green color and have a slightly arching habit, which gracefully complements the tall flowering stalks. The overall effect of the Iris 'Destination' in a garden setting is one of sophistication and beauty, with its eye-catching flowers providing a focal point during its blooming season. Its appearance makes it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of elegance to their garden beds or borders.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Spuria Iris, Iris 'Destination'
- Common names
  Iris 'Destination' (Spuria).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Spuria Iris, including the Iris 'Destination', can be toxic to humans if ingested. The rhizomes (underground stems) of irises contain irisin, iridin, or irisine which are substances that can cause stomach upsets and irritation to the skin and mucous membrane. If someone eats part of this plant, they may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Handling the plant can sometimes result in skin irritation. It is advisable to avoid ingesting any part of the plant and to wear gloves when working with it to prevent skin irritation.
- To pets
  The Spuria Iris, or Iris 'Destination', is similarly toxic to pets if ingested. The rhizomes contain compounds that can induce gastrointestinal distress. Symptoms of poisoning in pets may include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to more serious symptoms such as lethargy and potentially impact liver or kidney function if large amounts are consumed. As with humans, pets should not be allowed to ingest any part of the plant, and pet owners should take precautions to prevent their animals from accessing these plants.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Yellow
- Height
  3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
- Spread
  2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  4
- Native area
  Caucasus

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Appeal: The Iris 'Destination' adds visual interest to gardens with its tall stems and striking, colorful flowers.
- Landscape Versatility: This variety can be used in mixed borders, water garden margins, and as a focal point in perennial beds.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, the Spuria Iris can tolerate periods of drought, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Pollinator Attraction: Blooms of the Spuria Iris attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care once it is established, making it a good choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance plants.
- Seasonal Interest: Spuria Iris provides a burst of color in late spring to early summer when it blooms, enhancing the seasonal interest of 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
- Spuria Iris fibers: The fibrous leaves of the Spuria Iris can be used for weaving baskets and other items, similar to how other plant fibers are utilized in traditional crafts.
- Art and illustration: The striking flowers of the Spuria Iris can serve as a subject for botanical illustrators and artists, inspiring a range of artistic creations.
- Photography: With their vivid colors and elegant structure, Spuria Irises are excellent subjects for photographers, especially those specializing in botanical and garden photography.
- Eco-friendly dye: The flowers of the Spuria Iris may be used to produce natural dyes, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes for fabrics and crafts.
- Culinary decoration: Although not typically eaten, the petals of Spuria Irises can be used to elegantly decorate dishes and desserts in high-end culinary presentations.
- Education: Spuria Iris plants can serve as a resource in educational settings, such as schools and botanical gardens, to teach about plant biology and horticulture.
- Scented gardens: While the Spuria Iris is not known for a strong fragrance, it can contribute to the overall aromatic experience in a mixed-scented garden.
- Fishponds enhancement: Spuria Irises can be planted around fishponds to add vertical height and a splash of color to the aquatic environment, although they are not aquatic plants themselves.
- Garden borders: Due to their tall and upright form, Spuria Irises can be used to create dramatic borders or to provide a backdrop to lower-growing garden plants.
- Soil erosion control: The root system of Spuria Irises can help in stabilizing soil in areas prone to erosion, contributing to landscape restoration efforts.

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 is often associated with faith, symbolizing hope and trust in various cultural contexts.
- Wisdom: It is seen as a representation of wisdom, perhaps because of its regal appearance and association with deities in mythology.
- Courage: The iris can signify courage, inspired by its bold colors and ability to stand tall in various conditions.
- Purity: In some traditions, irises symbolize purity, with their clean lines and elegant form hinting at a sense of innocence.
- Royalty: The luxurious appearance of the iris often connects it with royalty and nobility.
- Messages: The iris can represent sending messages, as the flower was historically used to convey important information due to its distinctive appearance.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Spuria Iris requires moderate watering, especially in the growing season from spring to early summer. It should be watered approximately once a week, with a slightly increased frequency if the weather is particularly hot or dry. During the dormant season in fall and winter, reduce watering to every other week or less, depending on soil moisture levels. It is important that the soil is allowed to dry out somewhat between waterings to prevent root rot. A good rule of thumb is to provide about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per plant each time you water, ensuring the moisture reaches the deep roots.
Light
The Spuria Iris thrives in full sun conditions, receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Planting them in a spot that has clear exposure to the sun for the majority of the day will ensure the best growth and flowering performance. They can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter climates, but too much shade can lead to poor blooming and increased susceptibility to disease.
Temperature
Spuria Iris is hardy and does well in a temperature range between 60°F to 90°F. They can withstand cold down to about 20°F but should be protected from prolonged freezes. These irises prefer the warmer end of their hardiness spectrum during the growing season. Extreme temperatures above 90°F may stress the plant and require additional watering to keep it hydrated.
Pruning
Pruning Spuria Iris is mainly done to remove spent flower stalks after blooming and to clear out dead or damaged foliage, which helps prevent disease. It is typically pruned annually, immediately after the blooming period ends. Cut flower stalks down to the base, and for the foliage, trim only the parts that are dead or damaged. This keeps the plant looking tidy and ensures energy is directed to healthy growth.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for Spuria Iris is well-draining, loamy soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Amend the soil with organic matter to ensure good drainage and aeration.
Repotting
Spuria Irises generally do not require frequent repotting. They are best repotted or divided every 3 to 5 years to prevent overcrowding and rejuvenate their growth.
Humidity & Misting
Spuria Irises are tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and do well in the typical humidity found in most outdoor garden environments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light and good air circulation for indoor Spuria Iris.
- Outdoor
  Plant in sun, well-draining soil, divide clumps every few years.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of the Iris 'Destination' (Spuria Iris) begins with seed germination, which occurs in moist soil with varying sunlight depending on the variety. Once germinated, a rosette of sword-like leaves emerges and establishes a strong root system. During its vegetative stage, the plant grows and expands its foliage through multiple growing seasons, storing energy for flowering. Flowering typically occurs in late spring to early summer, where the Spuria Iris showcases its striking blooms atop tall stems, lasting for a short period before wilting. After pollination, if it occurs, the plant sets seed in the form of capsules, which then mature and release seeds to begin the next generation. Post bloom, the foliage continues to gather energy until dormancy in late autumn or early winter, depending on the climate.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for Spuria Iris 'Destination' is by division of the rhizomes. This should ideally be done in the late summer after the plant has bloomed and begun to go dormant, offering the divisions ample time to establish themselves before the onset of winter. To divide, one should carefully dig up the clumps of iris, and with a clean, sharp knife, cut the rhizomes into sections ensuring that each division has at least one fan of leaves and several roots. Trim the leaves to about a third of their original length, which is approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters), to reduce water loss and make handling easier. Finally, replant the divisions at a depth such that the tops of the rhizomes are just below the soil surface, spaced about 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow for growth and good air circulation.