Intermediate Bearded Iris Iris 'Londonderry' (IB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Londonderry' is a flowering plant that boasts elegant blooms and attractive foliage. The flowers are a notable feature, with their intricate combination of soft colors, typically showcasing a mix of creamy whites to pale yellows. Each flower possesses a unique charm with its delicately ruffled petals that may exhibit a slight hint of lavender at their edges, giving them a gentle, pastel appearance. The blooms are borne on sturdy stems that rise gracefully above the plant's base. These stems are surrounded by long, slender leaves that resemble blades of grass. The leaves are a deep green color, adding a lush background contrast to the lighter flowers. The foliage is often slightly arching, creating an elegant and relaxed silhouette. Iris 'Londonderry' is part of the iris family, which is known for its stunning and diverse array of colors and forms. The combination of light-colored blooms against the greenery makes the Iris 'Londonderry' a sought-after addition to gardens for its aesthetic appeal. The overall look of this plant is one of sophistication and charm, bringing a touch of classic beauty to any setting where it is planted.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae.
- Synonyms
  Intermediate Bearded Iris, IB Iris.
- Common names
  Iris 'Londonderry' (IB).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Iris 'Londonderry', commonly known just as Iris, has parts that are considered toxic if ingested by humans. The rhizomes, which are the underground stems, contain compounds that can cause irritation to the digestive tract. Eating Iris rhizomes may lead to symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Handling the plant, particularly the rhizomes, can also cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals.
- To pets
  Iris 'Londonderry', commonly referred to as Iris, is toxic to pets if ingested. All parts of the plant, particularly the rhizomes, contain irritant substances. When a pet ingests parts of an Iris, it may experience symptoms like drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to lethargy and more serious gastrointestinal complications. It is important to keep pets away from Irises to prevent accidental ingestion.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  2 feet 24 inches (60 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot 12 inches (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Enhances Garden Aesthetics: The Iris 'Londonderry' has striking flowers which can add beauty and visual interest to any garden setting.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, these irises are relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal care to thrive.
- Attracts Pollinators: The colorful blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden.
- Drought Tolerance: These plants are somewhat drought-tolerant, making them suitable for gardens in drier climates or for water-conservation landscaping.
- Seasonal Interest: They provide seasonal interest with their late spring to early summer blooms.
- Versatile Planting Options: Iris 'Londonderry' can be used in various garden settings, including borders, water gardens, and as cut flowers in floral arrangements.
- Deer Resistant: They are generally resistant to deer, which makes them a good choice for gardens in areas with deer populations.
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 tall and strong stems of iris can be used in basketry and weaving for creating garden ornaments or small items like coasters and place mats.
- Iris rhizomes, especially in other species, have been historically used in perfumery; 'Londonderry' may contribute a subtle fragrance to handmade potpourris.
- The blooms can be pressed and included in decorative craft projects such as bookmarks, greeting cards, or framed botanical art.
- Dried iris flowers can be used to create natural dyes, potentially yielding colors from yellow to green depending on the mordant used.
- Rhizomes can be incorporated into sachets and closets as a natural moth repellent, though this use is traditionally associated with Iris germanica.
- The plant can act as a biological pest control by attracting hoverflies, which prey on aphids, benefiting the surrounding garden plants.
- Iris 'Londonderry' can be planted as part of a rain garden, as many irises are tolerant of wet conditions and can help with water management and filtration.
- The striking appearance of the iris can inspire artists and photographers, serving as a muse for various forms of artwork and creative projects.
- The plant can be used to mark boundary lines or spaces in a garden due to their distinct form and height which provide a visual barrier.
- When planted in a mass, the iris can help with soil erosion control on sloped areas of a garden by stabilizing the ground with their robust root systems.

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 and Valor: The iris often symbolizes wisdom and valor, reflecting its regal appearance and longstanding association with heraldry and royalty.
- Hope and Faith: As the flower blooms in a variety of colors, the iris is a symbol of hope and faith, providing assurance during challenging times.
- Purity and Heaven: The delicate form of the iris, particularly in lighter shades, is frequently connected to notions of purity and its celestial look points to heavenly associations.
- Royalty: With its rich hues and elegant posture, the iris exudes a noble quality that often represents royalty and majesty.
- Communication and Messages: In the language of flowers, an iris may symbolize the delivery of messages, owing to its use as a heraldic emblem to carry important emblems or announcements.
- Good News: When given as a gift, irises may denote the sharing of good news or congratulations.

💧

Every 3-5 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Londonderry' should be watered deeply to ensure the roots receive moisture, but it is important to let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. During the growing season, a weekly watering regimen, providing about an inch of water, is often sufficient. In hotter, drier climates, you may need to increase the frequency, aiming for at least a gallon of water per week, especially during the peak of summer. Adjust your watering schedule based on rainfall and avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of leaf spot diseases.
Light
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Londonderry' prefers full sun conditions to bloom well. Ideally, the plant should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. Planting in a location where it can bask in the early morning light and be shaded from the intense late afternoon sun could help protect the blooms from fading.
Temperature
The Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Londonderry' is tolerant of a wide temperature range, but grows best when the climate is within 40 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. While it can survive temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit in winter dormancy, it’s crucial to avoid saturated soil which can lead to root rot in these cold conditions. The ideal growing temperature for the iris is in the moderate 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit range.
Pruning
Pruning of Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Londonderry' involves removing any dead or damaged foliage as well as spent flower stalks to promote healthy growth and prevent disease. This should be done after blooming, usually in late summer. Additionally, every 3 to 5 years, the rhizomes should be divided and pruned to rejuvenate the plant and encourage more vigorous blooming the following season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Londonderry' prefers well-draining soil with a pH of 6.8 to 7.0. A mix of loamy soil, compost, and coarse sand is ideal to provide adequate drainage and fertility.
Repotting
Intermediate Bearded Irises, including 'Londonderry', typically do not need repotting as they are not typically grown in containers. Instead, they are divided every 3 to 5 years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
Humidity & Misting
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Londonderry' is tolerant of a range of humidity levels; however, it prefers a drier climate and does not require high humidity levels to thrive.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in a sunny spot and maintain dry soil conditions.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun with good drainage and space for growth.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Iris 'Londonderry' starts its life as a dormant rhizome, which is typically planted in late summer to early fall in well-draining soil. The rhizome will sprout roots and shoots, leading to the emergence of sword-like leaves in spring. Following the foliage, flowering typically occurs in late spring or early summer, producing the plant's distinctive, colorful blooms. After blooming, the plant will set seed if the flowers were pollinated, and the seed pods will mature over the summer. In the fall, the foliage begins to die back as the plant enters dormancy, conserving energy within the rhizome. The cycle repeats the following spring, with the plant potentially producing offsets (new rhizomes) that can be divided and replanted to propagate new plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: The Iris 'Londonderry', commonly known as an Intermediate Bearded Iris, is frequently propagated by division, which is best done in late summer after the iris has bloomed. This period generally spans from July to September, depending on the local climate. To propagate by division, the clumps of the iris are carefully dug up and the rhizomes—the horizontal plant stems that grow at the surface of the soil—are separated. It is important to ensure that each division has at least one or two leaf fans. The foliage should be trimmed to about one-third of its original length, which is roughly 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters), to reduce water loss and make handling easier. The divided rhizomes are then replanted about 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) apart, allowing adequate space for the plants to grow. They should be planted so that the top of the rhizome is just slightly below the surface of the soil, ensuring that the rhizome is still exposed to sunlight.