Tall Bearded Iris Iris 'Reg Wall' (TB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Reg Wall' is a captivating plant known for its distinctive and showy flowers which are the highlight of this variety. The blooms showcase a captivating array of colors, often with a combination of deep, rich purples, blues, and sometimes a hint of reddish tones. The flowers typically have three upright petals known as 'standards' and three drooping petals called 'falls'. The standards are often lighter in shade compared to the falls, which may have a velvety texture and striking color contrast. The falls often display a distinct beard-like feature which may be a fuzzy streak or a series of tiny hairs, running down the middle in a contrasting hue, like bright gold or white, adding to the flower's dramatic look. The foliage of Iris 'Reg Wall' consists of long, slender leaves that are sword-shaped, growing in a fan-like arrangement. They are an attractive deep green color, providing a pleasant backdrop to the stunning blooms which tend to appear in the late spring or early summer. The overall display of Iris 'Reg Wall' is one of elegance and aristocratic charm, making it a prized addition to any garden where it adds a burst of color and ornamental flair. The plant is well-loved by gardeners not only for its beauty but also for its hardiness and ease of maintenance, assuming it is planted in conditions that it finds favorable.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Tall Bearded Iris, Bearded Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Reg Wall' (TB)
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Tall Bearded Iris, like other iris species, can be toxic if ingested. The plant, especially the rhizomes and bulbs, contains compounds that can cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed. Symptoms of iris poisoning may include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is important for individuals to handle the plant with care and to avoid eating any part of it to prevent potential toxicity.
- To pets
  The Tall Bearded Iris is also toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. If a pet consumes part of an iris plant, specifically the rhizomes or bulbs, they may display symptoms of toxicity including vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and lethargy. It is crucial to ensure that pets do not have access to chew or ingest this plant to prevent poisoning. If a pet is suspected to have ingested iris, immediate consultation with a veterinarian is recommended.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Varies
- Height
  3 feet (91 cm)
- Spread
  18 inches (45 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  Varies
- Native area
  Varies

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ease of Care: The Iris 'Reg Wall' is generally low maintenance, making it a good choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its striking flowers, it adds beauty and color to any garden.
- Pollinator Attraction: The blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of low watering, suitable for drier climates or water-conserving gardens.
- Soil Adaptability: It can grow in a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained conditions.
- Cold Hardy: It is capable of surviving in lower temperatures, making it suitable for many temperate regions.
- Perennial Growth: As a perennial, it will regrow each year, providing long-term landscaping without the need for replanting.
- Versatility: It can be used in mixed borders, as a focal point, in mass plantings, or even in containers.
- Division Propagation: Can be propagated through division, making it easy to expand your garden or share with others.
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
- Iris 'Reg Wall' petals can be used to create a natural dye for textiles, imparting subtle hues to fabrics.
- The robust, fibrous leaves of the iris can be woven or braided to create small baskets or decorative items.
- Pressed iris flowers are often used in artistic endeavors, such as in bookmarks, greeting cards, or framed botanical art.
- Iris rhizomes have historically been used in perfumery to produce orris root, which adds a sweet and woody aroma to perfumes.
- The bright, colorful flowers can serve as a source of inspiration for artists and designers, influencing patterns and color schemes.
- Aquatic species of iris can be used in water gardens to provide habitat and improve the aesthetic quality of ponds.
- The structural form of the iris is studied in the field of biomimicry for potential applications in design and architecture.
- Dried iris seed pods can be used in floral arrangements and ornamental displays for an exotic and interesting touch.
- The iris can play a role in educational gardens, teaching about plant biology and the specific adaptations of iris species.
- Landscape designers use various iris species, including Iris 'Reg Wall', for color theming in garden designs and public parks.

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 takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, which is also the name for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris. It symbolizes wisdom as it was associated with the goddess who served as a messenger and used the rainbow to travel between heaven and earth.
- Hope: Irises stand for hope, cherished as a flower that blooms in spring, signaling the end of winter and the beginning of a new season filled with possibilities.
- Trust: Due to its durability and reliability to bloom season after season, the iris represents trust and reliability in relationships.
- Royalty: In ancient times, the iris was associated with royalty and power, particularly in Egypt where it was a symbol of majesty and rulers.
- Purity: The elegant and clean appearance of the iris symbolizes purity, making it a common flower for religious ceremonies and weddings.
- Faith: The iris is often seen in religious artwork symbolizing faith, belief, and hope in the divine.
- Valor: The iris is also associated with valor and bravery, especially through its connection with the French monarchy, where the fleur-de-lis, a stylized iris, is a well-known symbol.
- Wisdom: The iris's link to the goddess Iris and subsequently to the rainbow, positions it as a symbol of divine knowledge and an intermediary between the mortal and celestial worlds.

💧

Every week

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Tall Bearded Irises like 'Reg Wall' should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth, with the frequency depending on the climate and soil conditions. On average, watering every 7 to 10 days during the growing season is adequate. They require about one inch of water per week, including rainfall. In arid climates or during particularly hot, dry periods, increase watering slightly. Be sure to water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, as this can encourage disease. When rainfall is sufficient, supplemental watering may not be necessary. Always allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Light
Tall Bearded Iris, such as 'Reg Wall,' thrives in full sun conditions where they can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. An ideal spot would be in an area that is exposed to the morning sun and has some protection from the intense afternoon sun, although they are quite adaptable to full day sun as long as they are well-watered. Avoid planting in locations that are overly shaded, as this can affect flowering.
Temperature
Tall Bearded Iris 'Reg Wall' can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but they grow best in regions with a distinct cold period during the winter, as the cold helps promote blooming. They can survive winter temperatures down to about -20°F and summer temperatures well over 90°F. The ideal temperature range for their growth is between 55°F and 75°F.
Pruning
Prune Tall Bearded Irises like 'Reg Wall' to remove spent flower stalks after blooming and cut back the foliage to about 6 inches in late fall to minimize overwintering pests and diseases. Pruning encourages better air circulation and focuses the plant's energy on root and rhizome development. The best time for pruning is immediately after the flowers have faded, and a more thorough pruning should be carried out once the growing season has ended, typically in late autumn.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Tall Bearded Iris, such as 'Reg Wall,' thrives in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.8 to 7.0. The best soil mix is a combination of loamy garden soil, compost, and sharp sand to improve drainage. It's important to avoid heavy clay soils and to ensure good air circulation around the rhizomes to prevent rot.
Repotting
Tall Bearded Irises like 'Reg Wall' do not require frequent repotting and should be divided and repotted every 3 to 5 years. It's essential to replant the rhizomes at the soil surface with roots spread outwards and downwards.
Humidity & Misting
Tall Bearded Irises, including 'Reg Wall,' tolerate a wide range of humidity levels but prefer lower humidity environments. It's best to ensure they have good air circulation to prevent issues like rhizome rot.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light, ensure good air flow, avoid wet feet.
- Outdoor
  Plant in sunny spot with well-draining soil; divide every 3-5 years.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of Iris 'Reg Wall', also known as Tall Bearded Iris, begins with seed germination, which occurs in a damp, well-drained growing medium. After germination, the seedling grows into a young plant with sword-shaped leaves and forms an underground storage organ known as a rhizome. Over time, the rhizome develops and stores nutrients which enable the iris to endure periods of dormancy and regrow in subsequent seasons. Once mature, the iris produces distinctive, colorful flowers typically in late spring to early summer, which may be pollinated by insects to produce seeds. After the flowering period, the plant enters a phase of senescence for the rest of the growing season, where foliage may die back as the plant prepares for dormancy. The dormant rhizome can survive through cold winter months before resuming growth in the next cycle, with the capacity to multiply and produce new shoots that will become separate but genetically identical plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late Summer
- The Iris 'Reg Wall', which belongs to the tall bearded (TB) group, is most commonly propagated through division of its rhizomes. This process is ideally performed after the flowering period, when the plants are dormant, typically late summer to early fall. Gardeners should lift the clump of iris carefully to minimize damage to the roots and rhizomes. Using a sharp, clean knife, the clump is then divided by cutting the rhizomes into pieces, ensuring that each division has one or more fan-shaped growths of leaves and a portion of the rhizome. The cuts should be made a few inches away from the leaf fans. These divisions are then replanted in well-draining soil, with the rhizome slightly exposed above the soil level. The newly planted divisions should be watered in gently to help establish them in their new location.