Tall Bearded Iris Iris 'River Avon' (TB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'River Avon' is a type of bearded iris that boasts striking features. This plant typically shows off with its large, showy flowers that are a visual treat. The blooms are composed of multiple petals that exhibit a mesmerizing blend of colors, often with a mixture of blue, purple, or violet shades that may also display intricate veining or a gradation of hues. The petals are usually arranged in two types of forms: the upright standards and the downward curving falls, with the iconic fuzzy "beard" running down the center of the falls, adding a touch of contrasting color and texture. The flowers emerge from tall, stiff stems that rise gracefully from a clump of sword-shaped, green foliage. These leaves are long and linear, forming a dense clump that provides an attractive base for the tall floral scapes. The fresh green of the leaves contrasts nicely with the vibrant colors of the blooms, making the Iris 'River Avon' a standout plant in any garden setting. Its appearance evokes a sense of elegance and sophistication and is often a favorite among gardeners looking to add a touch of drama to their floral displays.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Tall Bearded Iris, Bearded Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'River Avon'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Tall Bearded Iris, generally, can be considered mildly toxic to humans if ingested. The rhizomes (the root-like structures) contain irisin, iridin, or irisine which can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Handling the plant, especially the roots, can also cause skin irritation in some individuals due to the presence of these compounds.
- To pets
  The Tall Bearded Iris is also toxic to pets. If an animal ingests part of the plant, especially the rhizomes, they could experience symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea. In severe cases, if a significant amount of the rhizome is consumed, pets might show signs of gastrointestinal distress or central nervous system signs such as depression. It's important to prevent pets from ingesting any part of the plant and to seek veterinary attention if ingestion is suspected.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  3 feet (91 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: The Iris 'River Avon' adds vibrant color to gardens with its beautiful purple blooms.
- Easy to Grow: This plant is low-maintenance, requiring minimal care once established.
- Attracts Wildlife: The bright flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity.
- Seasonal Interest: It blooms in late spring to early summer, offering seasonal interest in the garden.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is quite drought-resistant, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Versatile Planting: Suitable for borders, beds, and as a cut flower in floral arrangements.
- Soil Adaptability: Can thrive in a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained conditions.
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
- Artistic inspiration - The unique color palette of the Tall Bearded Iris can inspire artwork, such as paintings or fabric designs, mirroring its vibrant hues.
- Educational tool - Gardeners and botany teachers may use the Tall Bearded Iris to demonstrate plant anatomy and reproductive processes to students.
- Photography subject - This variety, with its striking appearance, is often photographed by professionals and amateurs to practice macro and nature photography skills.
- Natural dye source - The petals of the Tall Bearded Iris can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes.
- Craft projects - The dried petals and seedpods can be used in scrapbooking, card making, or other craft projects requiring floral embellishments.
- Floral arrangements - Irises are popular in cut flower arrangements, and their stems can be used in non-traditional arrangements like ikebana, a Japanese style of floral design.
- Perfumery ingredient - Although not common, the scent of the Tall Bearded Iris can be captured and used in custom perfumery or candle making.
- Culinary decoration - Edible varieties of irises can be crystallized in sugar and used to decorate cakes and pastries, offering an elegant touch to desserts.
- Garden design - Landscape architects and garden designers may utilize the Tall Bearded Iris as a focal point in perennial borders or thematic gardens.
- Companion planting - As part of an integrated pest management system, the Tall Bearded Iris can be planted alongside vegetables to attract pollinators or deter certain pests.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Iris is not used specifically in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Wisdom: Iris is often associated with wisdom, indicated by its strategic flowering in the spring, symbolizing renewed knowledge and learning.
- Hope: The iris blossoms at a time when spring revitalizes the natural world, signifying hope and expectations for positive things to come.
- Faith: The plant’s resilience and ability to flourish in various conditions reflect the human quality of faith through adversity.
- Purity: With its striking and delicate petals, the iris is also a symbol of purity and innocence.
- Courage: The bold colors and upright stature of the iris convey a sense of courage and valor.
- Royalty: Historically, the iris has been linked to royalty due to its majestic appearance and the fact that the Fleur-de-lis, a stylized iris, has been used as a royal emblem.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Tall Bearded Irises, including Iris 'River Avon', should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage root growth; this is generally about once a week during the growing season. The soil should be allowed to dry out somewhat between waterings to prevent root rot. When watering, aim for about 1 gallon of water per square yard of soil, ensuring you soak the ground around the roots rather than just wetting the surface. During hot, dry periods, increase watering to maintain soil moisture but always allow for good drainage. Cut back on water after blooming and into the dormant season.
Light
Bearded Irises such as the Iris 'River Avon' thrive in full sun conditions, requiring a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for this plant would be in an area with bright, uninterrupted sunlight, as the intense light encourages blooming and helps prevent disease. Avoid planting in areas with dappled shade or where buildings or trees could cast significant shadows throughout the day.
Temperature
Tall Bearded Irises like Iris 'River Avon' are quite hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but grow best in conditions between 55°F and 75°F. They can survive winter temperatures down to -20°F, but should not be subjected to temperatures above 90°F for prolonged periods. Ensure you provide some shade during the hottest part of the day if temperatures frequently exceed this range to protect the plants from heat stress.
Pruning
Pruning, often referred to as "deadheading" for Tall Bearded Iris like Iris 'River Avon', involves removing spent blooms to promote a tidy appearance and potentially encourage rebloom. After flowering, cut flower stalks down to the base of the plant. In late summer or early fall, trim foliage to a height of about 6 inches to prepare the plant for winter. Pruning is also a good opportunity to check for and remove any diseased or damaged leaves.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Tall Bearded Iris 'River Avon' prefers well-drained soil with a pH of slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.5 to 7.0). A balanced mix of loamy soil with added sand or grit to enhance drainage is ideal. Amend with organic matter to provide nutrients.
Repotting
Tall Bearded Irises, including 'River Avon', do not typically require frequent repotting and can be left undisturbed for several years. They should be divided and repotted every 3 to 5 years to maintain vigor and flower production.
Humidity & Misting
The Tall Bearded Iris 'River Avon' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require specific humidity conditions, thriving in the humidity levels found in most temperate climates.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, cool temps, and air circulation for indoors.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, divide every 3-5 years.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Iris 'River Avon' begins its life as a dormant rhizome, which is a type of stem that grows horizontally underground. In the spring, new shoots emerge from the rhizome, growing into tall, sword-like leaves and stems that may reach up to 2 to 3 feet tall. During late spring to early summer, spectacular blooms appear, showcasing the plant's characteristic large, colorful flowers which can range in hues from blue, purple, to bi-colors, often with intricate markings and a pleasant fragrance. After flowering, the plant sets seed in a capsule if pollination occurs, though many gardeners deadhead irises to promote vigour. Throughout the summer, the plant continues to photosynthesize and store energy in the rhizome for the next season. In autumn, the foliage may start to die back as the plant goes into dormancy, preparing to overwinter and repeat the cycle the following spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Early Summer
- The Iris 'River Avon', a Tall Bearded (TB) iris, is most commonly propagated through division. The optimal time for this method is late summer to early fall, after the blooming period has ended and the plant has gone dormant. To propagate, carefully dig up the iris clump and wash the soil from the roots. Using a sharp knife, divide the rhizome into pieces, ensuring each division has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the roots. Trim the leaves to about 6 inches (15 centimeters) to reduce transpiration and plant the divisions about 12 to 24 inches (30 to 61 centimeters) apart at the same depth they were previously growing. Water the new plantings well to settle the soil around the roots. This method rejuvenates the plant, encourages blooming, and helps to prevent overcrowding.