Intermediate Bearded Iris Iris 'Eye Magic' (IB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Eye Magic' is known for its enchanting appearance, characterized by its prominent and beautiful flowers. These blooms display a striking color palette that usually features a blend of different hues, including varying shades of purples, blues, yellows, and whites. The petals have a soft, petal-like texture and are arranged in a distinctive formation typical of irises, with some petal-like segments standing upright to form what are called standards, and others descending, known as falls. The falls often exhibit a lovely velvety texture and might have intricate veining or speckling that adds to their visual appeal, enchanting onlookers with the appearance of an intricate 'eye' pattern, from which the cultivar 'Eye Magic' likely gets its name. The upright petals can be lighter in color, providing a compelling contrast to the more vividly colored falling petals. The foliage of Iris 'Eye Magic' consists of slender, sword-shaped leaves that grow upright and form a cluster at the base of the plant. These leaves are typically a vibrant green color and have a somewhat stiff yet graceful structure that complements the spectacular blossoms. The blooms are supported by firm, upright stems that rise from among the foliage, presenting the flowers prominently when in season. This creates a visually enticing display that makes Iris 'Eye Magic' a sought-after variety for gardeners who wish to add a touch of visual allure to their landscapes. The dazzling appearance of the flowers along with the elegant foliage makes this plant a captivating specimen in any setting.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Intermediate Bearded Iris, Eye Magic Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Eye Magic' (IB).
Toxicity
- To humans
  Iris 'Eye Magic', commonly known as an Iris, may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by humans. This can include symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Due to the presence of irritating compounds, particularly in the rhizomes (root structures), handling the plant may also lead to skin irritation in some individuals. It is advised to prevent consumption and to handle the plant with care to avoid any potential negative reactions.
- To pets
  Iris 'Eye Magic', commonly referred to as an Iris, is considered mildly toxic to pets such as dogs and cats if ingested. The most toxic part is the rhizome, or root, which can cause symptoms such as salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and diarrhea. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to more serious gastrointestinal issues. It is important to keep pets from ingesting this plant to avoid these potential health problems.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  4-9
- Native area
  Temperate Northern Hemisphere

Benefits

General Benefits
- Enhanced Garden Aesthetics: Eye Magic Iris adds vibrant color and unique texture to garden landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is capable of withstanding periods of low water availability.
- Pest Resilience: Iris Eye Magic is known for being resistant to many common garden pests.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal upkeep beyond basic watering and occasional fertilization.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden.
- Seasonal Interest: Blooms in late spring to early summer, providing seasonal interest in the garden.
- Adaptability: Can thrive in a variety of soil types as long as they are well-drained.
- Cold Hardy: Able to survive in colder climates where winter temperatures may be a concern.
- Easy Propagation: Can be propagated by division, allowing gardeners to expand their plantings without additional cost.
- Longevity: Iris Eye Magic is a perennial plant, providing beauty for many years with proper care.
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
- Crafting Natural Dyes: The petals of the Iris can be used to produce natural dyes for textile art, offering a range of colors from yellows to purples depending on the mordant used.
- Garden Design: Irises are often used to create stunning visual effects in gardens, serving as a focal point due to their unique shape and vibrant colors.
- Floral Arrangements: Iris flowers are a popular choice for cut floral arrangements, adding structural interest and color to bouquets and indoor displays.
- Eco-Friendly Confetti: Dried Iris petals can be used as a biodegradable confetti alternative, ideal for celebrations such as weddings where environmental impact is a consideration.
- Botanical Illustration: Due to their intricate form, Irises serve as an excellent subject for botanical artists and illustrators, helping to educate others about plant anatomy.
- Perfumery: Some species of Iris are used in perfumery for their scent, particularly in the creation of high-end and luxury fragrances.
- Photography: Irises provide striking subjects for photographers, particularly those specializing in macro, nature, and garden photography.
- Feng Shui: In some traditions, the placement of Iris plants is believed to attract positive energy to the home and garden according to feng shui principles.
- Edible Decor: Some cultures use crystallized or sugared Iris petals as decorative and edible elements in culinary presentations.
- Craft Projects: The sturdy leaves of the Iris can be used in craft projects, such as making natural weavings or as an organic component in paper making.

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, representing belief in the unseen and trust in divine timing.
- Hope: As a colorful and vibrant plant, the iris is an emblem of hope, conveying optimism and expectation for positive outcomes.
- Wisdom: In historical contexts, the iris is associated with wisdom, often linked to its namesake, the Greek goddess Iris, who was a messenger of the gods and a symbol of communication and messages.
- Purity: With its striking appearance, the iris can signify purity, much like many other white or brightly colored flowers do in various traditions.
- Courage: Due to its robust nature and ability to bloom in a variety of conditions, the iris can represent courage and the ability to tackle challenges with bravery.
- Royalty: Some cultures associate the iris with royalty and regality, possibly because of its majestic appearance and the floral designs used in royal emblems.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Intermediate Bearded Iris, commonly known as 'Eye Magic', prefers evenly moist soil, especially during the growth and bloom periods. Water the iris deeply once a week with about 1 to 2 gallons per plant, ensuring you avoid waterlogging the soil. During hot, dry spells, increase watering frequency to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Reduce watering after blooming has finished and during dormancy in the winter to prevent bulb rot. It's essential to water the plant at its base to prevent water from sitting in the leaves, which could cause rot.
Light
Intermediate Bearded Iris like 'Eye Magic' perform best when planted in full sunlight with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal location is in a sunny spot where the plant can bask in daylight, which encourages robust growth and abundant flowering. However, in extremely hot climates, they appreciate light afternoon shade to protect their blooms from fading.
Temperature
Intermediate Bearded Iris, including 'Eye Magic', thrive in a temperature range from 75°F to 85°F during the growing season. They are hardy and can withstand minimum temperatures down to about -20°F, making them suitable for many climates. To ensure vigorous growth and flowering, protect the irises from extreme heat by ensuring they have some afternoon shade in regions where temperatures exceed 90°F.
Pruning
Intermediate Bearded Iris like 'Eye Magic' should be pruned by removing spent flower stems after blooms have faded to encourage new growth. Additionally, trim the foliage into a fan shape at the end of the season to tidy the plant and improve air circulation. Pruning is also necessary to remove any damaged or diseased leaves throughout the growing season. The best time for major pruning is post-flowering or in the fall before winter dormancy.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Intermediate bearded iris 'Eye Magic' prefers well-drained soil enriched with compost, at pH between 6.5 and 7.
Repotting
'Eye Magic' iris typically doesn't need frequent repotting; it's best to divide and repot every 3 to 5 years.
Humidity & Misting
Intermediate bearded iris 'Eye Magic' tolerates average garden humidity but does not require high humidity levels.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light and good air circulation for 'Eye Magic' indoors.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-drained soil; divide clumps every few years.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Iris 'Eye Magic' begins its life cycle as a seed, usually started in nurseries to ensure proper germination. The seeds then grow into rhizomes, which are thick, horizontal underground stems that store energy for the plant. The rhizomes produce sword-like green leaves and roots, which anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients from the soil. After a period of vegetative growth, the Iris 'Eye Magic' develops buds that blossom into distinctive flowers, typically in late spring or early summer, characterized by their unique bicolored petals with intricate patterns. Once pollinated, potentially by insects, the flowers will produce seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. After blooming, the plant enters a period of dormancy, especially in colder climates, with the rhizome surviving underground until the next growing season begins.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- Propogation: The Iris 'Eye Magic', commonly known as Intermediate Bearded Iris, is best propagated by division, which is the most popular method. The best time for this process is late summer to early fall, after blooming has finished and the plant has gone dormant. To propagate by division, a gardener would carefully dig up an established clump of Iris 'Eye Magic' and use a sharp, clean knife to separate the rhizomes, ensuring each section has at least one fan of leaves and healthy roots. The divisions should then be replanted promptly at a depth where the top of the rhizome is barely covered with soil and spaced approximately 12 to 24 inches apart, which translates to roughly 30 to 60 centimeters. This allows the new plants enough space to grow and ensures good airflow, reducing the risk of disease. Once replanted, watering should be adequate to establish the new plants, but they should not be left in soggy soil. With proper care, these divisions will mature and can produce flowers the following growing season.