Orris Iris 'Goring Steeple' (CH)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Goring Steeple' is a stunning perennial plant that is particularly known for its striking, ornamental flowers. This variety of Iris features long, sword-like leaves that are typically deep green in color, with a slightly glossy appearance. The foliage creates an upright, fan-like form, which serves as a perfect backdrop to the beautiful blossoms. The flowers of the Iris 'Goring Steeple' are the main attraction. They boast a unique color combination, with standards that are lighter, often in pale lavender or mauve tones, that contrast beautifully with the deeper hues of the falls— the downward-curving petals. The falls additionally often exhibit a charming, speckled or bearded texture, with a splash of bright yellow or white at their bases, giving the impression of a sunlit pathway leading into the bloom. These Irises typically bloom in the late spring to early summer period and carry a delicate, sweet fragrance that adds to their garden appeal. As they appear on top of sturdy, upright stems, the flowers float elegantly above the strappy foliage, creating a dynamic and sophisticated display in any garden. Beyond their ornamental qualities, the Iris 'Goring Steeple' has a clumping habit, slowly expanding over time but generally maintaining a well-defined area in the landscape. This selectivity in spreading makes them an excellent choice for gardeners looking for plants that provide high visual impact without the need for frequent division or containment.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Bearded Iris, German Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Goring Steeple' (CH).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Iris 'Goring Steeple', commonly referred to as just Iris, contains compounds that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by humans. The most common symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Furthermore, certain parts of the plant, like the rhizomes, may contain higher concentrations of these irritating substances. Handling the plant may also cause skin irritation in some individuals due to the presence of irisin, iridin, or other potentially irritating compounds.
- To pets
  The Iris 'Goring Steeple', or simply Iris, is toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. Ingesting parts of this plant, particularly the rhizomes, can result in symptoms like drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, consumption of Iris may lead to more serious symptoms including potential damage to the liver and digestive tract. Pet owners are advised to prevent their pets from accessing or ingesting any part of this plant to avoid the risk of Iris toxicity.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Blue
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Enhances Garden Aesthetics: The Iris 'Goring Steeple' adds beauty and elegance to gardens with its unique steeple-shaped blooms and striking coloration.
- Low Maintenance: It is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal attention once established in the appropriate conditions.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, this iris variety can tolerate periods of drought, making it suitable for gardens with less frequent watering.
- Cold Hardy: Iris 'Goring Steeple' is capable of withstanding cold weather, making it suitable for planting in a variety of climates.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers of the iris can attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that are vital for pollination.
- Long Blooming Period: This plant has a long flowering season, providing colorful blooms for an extended period in spring or early summer.
- Versatile Planting Options: It can be used in borders, as a focal point, or in mass plantings for a dramatic effect in the landscape.
- Resistant to Deer and Rabbits: Iris 'Goring Steeple' is generally resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits, which can help to ensure the blooms remain intact.
- Easy Propagation: It can be propagated by division, allowing gardeners to easily spread this plant throughout their landscape.
- Multiplication Over Time: This iris variety tends to multiply each year, providing more plants over time and filling in garden spaces.
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
- Dye Production: The rhizomes of the Iris can be used to produce natural dyes, offering a range of colors depending on the mordant used.
- Floral Arrangements: Iris flowers are often used in bouquets and floral displays for their unique shape and vibrant colors.
- Photography Subject: The striking appearance of the Iris makes it a popular subject for professional and amateur photographers alike.
- Fragrance Extraction: The Iris is sometimes used in the production of high-quality perfumes for its delicate scent.
- Garden Design: The tall and slender form of the Iris is ideal for adding vertical interest in garden beds and borders.
- Eco-printing: Leaves of Iris can be used in eco-printing techniques to create natural prints on fabric and paper.
- Water Feature Plant: Iris can be grown in water gardens or alongside ponds, adding aesthetic value to aquatic landscaping.
- Art Inspiration: The form and colors of the Iris have inspired many artists to create paintings, drawings, and other artworks.
- Edible Flowers: Some cultivars of Iris produce flowers that can be candied or used as a decorative, edible addition to salads.
- Craft Material: Dried Iris flowers and stems can be used to make crafts, such as wreaths or dried flower arrangements.

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
- Wisdom: The iris is often associated with wisdom, as it was named after the Greek goddess Iris, who was a messenger of the gods and a link between heaven and earth.
- Hope: The iris can symbolize hope, representing a belief in better things to come.
- Trust: Giving someone an iris can be a gesture of trust, conveying deep faith in the relationship.
- Purity: The elegant appearance of the iris can stand for purity and innocence.
- Courage: Since the iris often blooms in the early spring, it can also be seen as a symbol of courage and the bravery to face new beginnings.
- Royalty: Irises have historically been associated with royalty and regal majesty, partly due to their regal stance and appearance.

💧

Every 7 to 10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2 to 3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late Summer to Fall

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The bearded iris, including Iris 'Goring Steeple', should be watered deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root growth. During the growing season, water approximately every 7 to 10 days, providing about one inch of water each time. Adjust watering based on weather conditions—more frequently during hot, dry periods and less during cool, rainy spells. Bearded irises require less water once they have finished blooming, and it's crucial to avoid over-watering to prevent root rot. Ensure the soil around the plant is well-draining to maintain proper moisture levels without becoming waterlogged.
Light
Bearded irises such as Iris 'Goring Steeple' thrive in full sun. They require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to perform well. The ideal location for these plants is a sunny spot where they receive unfiltered sunlight for the majority of the day. They can tolerate some light shade, especially in regions with very hot afternoon sun, but too much shade can lead to poor blooming.
Temperature
Bearded irises, including Iris 'Goring Steeple', prefer temperate conditions and can typically survive in temperatures ranging from 14°F to 86°F. They benefit from colder temperatures in the winter, as a period of dormancy with temperatures as low as 14°F helps prompt spring flowering. The ideal growth temperatures for bearded irises are between 68°F and 77°F, which allow for vigorous growth and optimal blooming.
Pruning
Pruning bearded irises like Iris 'Goring Steeple' involves removing spent flower stalks after blooming and cutting back the leaves to a height of about 4 to 6 inches in late fall. This helps to prevent disease and encourages new growth. Additionally, every three to five years, bearded irises should be divided to maintain vitality and ensure optimal flowering. The best time for division and pruning is late summer, after the flowering has finished and before new growth begins in autumn.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for the Bearded Iris should be well-draining with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.0. A mix of loamy soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure will promote healthy growth. It is also beneficial to ensure the soil is loose to allow for good root penetration.
Repotting
Bearded Irises typically do not need to be repotted often as they prefer not to be disturbed. However, dividing and repotting should take place every three to five years to prevent overcrowding and to rejuvenate the plant.
Humidity & Misting
Bearded Irises require moderate humidity levels. They will thrive in typical outdoor humidity within their growing zones and do not necessarily require additional humidity control.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light; avoid waterlogged soil.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-drained soil; water sparingly.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Iris 'Goring Steeple' begins its life cycle as a buried rhizome, which is a form of underground stem that stores nutrients. In early spring, new growths emerge from the rhizome as shoots that develop into long, sword-like leaves. Following leaf development, flower stalks rise bearing the characteristic blooms of the Iris, typically flowering from late spring to early summer. After pollination, possibly involving insects like bees, the flowers produce dry capsules containing seeds that mature by late summer or fall. These seeds can be dispersed by wind or wildlife, enabling the plant to propagate and establish new plants. After blooming and seed setting, the plant enters a period of dormancy during the colder months, withdrawing nutrients back into the rhizome until the next growing season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late Summer to Fall
- For Iris 'Goring Steeple', a popular garden plant known as the bearded iris, the most common method of propagation is by dividing its rhizomes. This is typically done in late summer, after the flowering has finished and the foliage has begun to die back, which usually occurs around July to September. To propagate by division, the clump of the iris should be carefully dug up and the rhizomes separated by breaking them apart with the hands or cutting with a sharp knife, making sure that each piece has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the root system attached. The cut surfaces are often dusted with a fungicide to prevent rot. These divisions can then be replanted at ground level, with the top of the rhizome exposed to the sunlight, spaced about 12 to 24 inches (approximately 30 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow room for growth. It's important to water them well after planting to help establish the new divisions.