Ruby Eruption Iris Iris 'Ruby Eruption' (SDB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Ruby Eruption' is characterized by its vibrant and striking flowers. The blossoms exhibit a combination of vivid colors, with deep ruby to reddish-purple petals, which are often highlighted with contrasting markings such as white or yellow. The falls, which are the lower set of petal-like structures, tend to be draped gracefully and can have a velvety appearance with a slight sheen, intensifying their rich, jewel-toned coloration. The standards, which are the upright petals, match in hue but can show a gradient of color, fading to a lighter shade near the edges or at the base. The plant's foliage is a fresh, lively green, which sets off the dramatic coloring of the flowers. The leaves are sword-shaped, elongating into upright, slender, and pointed forms that provide an attractive, structured backdrop to the blooms. These leaves may sometimes show a slight arch, and they emerge in clumps, adding to the overall lush appearance of the plant. Iris 'Ruby Eruption' has a pronounced and enticing appearance, with the lush green foliage and the luxurious deep-toned blooms combining to create a strong visual impact in any garden setting.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris, SDB Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Ruby Eruption' (SDB).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Iris 'Ruby Eruption', commonly known as Dwarf Bearded Iris, can be considered toxic if ingested. The plant contains irisin, iridin, or irisine, which are compounds that can cause gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, handling the plant may cause skin irritation due to the presence of these compounds. It is important to avoid ingesting any part of the Dwarf Bearded Iris to prevent these symptoms.
- To pets
  The Dwarf Bearded Iris is also toxic to pets if ingested. Consuming parts of the plant can lead to symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea. In severe cases, ingestion may result in abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal disturbances. Thus, it's crucial to prevent pets from chewing on or consuming any part of the Dwarf Bearded Iris plant to avoid these potential consequences.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Burgundy
- Height
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  4
- Native area
  Temperate Northern Hemisphere

Benefits

General Benefits
- Easy to grow: Iris 'Ruby Eruption' is low-maintenance and easy to cultivate in a variety of garden settings.
- Drought tolerant: Once established, it requires minimal watering, making it suitable for drought-prone areas.
- Attracts pollinators: The flowers of this iris variety attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that pollinate plants.
- Seasonal interest: Blooms in late spring to early summer, providing vibrant color and interest to the garden when many other plants are just starting to grow.
- Naturalizing: Has the ability to spread and naturalize in an area, filling in spaces and providing a fuller garden display over time.
- Border plant: Its size and structure make it ideal for use in borders, adding definition and color to garden beds and pathways.
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
- Creative Art Medium - Artists can press or photograph Iris flowers to create unique prints or to inspire palettes for paintings.
- Photography - Due to its vibrant colors and unique patterns, the Iris serves as an excellent subject for botanical photography, contributing to the beauty and diversity in photo galleries.
- Edible Garnish - Certain species of Iris petals can be crystallized or used fresh to garnish desserts and cocktails, provided they are confirmed non-toxic and food-safe.
- Educational Tool - Irises can be used to teach botany students about rhizome-based plant systems and hybridization effects on flower color and form.
- Ecological Indicator - Irises can be indicators of ecosystem health, especially in wetland habitats, helping ecologists study environmental conditions.
- Dye Production - The roots, particularly of some Iris species, can be used to make natural dyes for textiles, though tests should be conducted for skin sensitivity.
- Perfumery - Iris 'Ruby Eruption' can be included in the distillation process for creating fragrances due to its pleasant scent, though its strength in comparison to other flowers would need consideration.
- Floral Language and Communication - Historically, giving someone an Iris can communicate messages; Irises can signify wisdom, hope, or valor, which can be used in thematic events or traditional ceremonies.
- Leather Treatment - The rhizomes of some Iris species (referred to as orris root) are used in leather treatment for scenting, though this would be species-specific.
- Seasonal Celebrations - In certain cultures, Irises are incorporated into festivals or holidays to mark the season, for example during spring festivals or events celebrating blooms.

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
- Hope - Irises often signify hope and faith with their blooms often associated with heralding in the spring and overcoming challenges.
- Wisdom - Historically, irises have been linked with wisdom and valued for their ability to convey messages of importance and gravity.
- Courage - With its striking appearance, the iris can represent courage as it stands tall and boldly displays its colorful petals.
- Purity - Like many flowers, irises can symbolize purity, a quality that is often enhanced by their association with the divine and the Virgin Mary in particular faiths.
- Royalty - The regal presence of the iris, particularly in majestic hues like purple, has historically connected it with royalty and nobility.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris, like 'Ruby Eruption', require moderate watering, particularly during their active growing season in spring and early summer. They do well with deep, infrequent watering as this encourages deep root growth. Aim to provide about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, and adjust based on rainfall and soil type. If the weather is particularly hot or dry, you might need to water twice a week, whereas cooler, cloudy weather may warrant less frequent watering. It's important to let the soil dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
Light
Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris thrive best in full sun, which means they need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. The ideal spot for 'Ruby Eruption' would be in a garden area that is exposed to bright, direct light for the majority of the day. Avoid planting in areas where buildings or other vegetation will cast too much shade on them.
Temperature
Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris, like 'Ruby Eruption', prefer temperate climates and can generally handle temperatures that range from around 30 degrees Fahrenheit up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They are quite hardy and can survive short periods of colder winter temperatures, but the ideal range for their growth is between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme temperatures outside of their comfort zone, whether hot or cold, can stress the plants and impact their growth and blooms.
Pruning
Pruning is essential for Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris like 'Ruby Eruption' to promote healthy growth and flowering. Cut back the green foliage to a height of about 6 inches after blooming to redirect the plant’s energy away from seed production and back into the rhizomes. Remove dead or yellowing leaves throughout the season to prevent disease. The best time for pruning is in late summer or early fall, after flowering has finished and before the winter sets in.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Dwarf Bearded Iris prefers well-draining soil with a pH of slightly acidic to neutral (6.0 to 7.0). A mix of loamy garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand can provide the right texture and fertility for healthy growth.
Repotting
Dwarf Bearded Iris typically doesn't require frequent repotting and can be divided and transplanted every 3-4 years to maintain vigor and flower production.
Humidity & Misting
Dwarf Bearded Iris is not overly sensitive to humidity levels and thrives in the average outdoor humidity found in its growing zones.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light, with well-draining soil, and keep lightly moist.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, and divide every few years.
- Hardiness zone
  Dwarf Bearded Iris 'Ruby Eruption' is suitable for USDA zones 3-9.
Life cycle
The Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris (Iris 'Ruby Eruption') begins its life cycle as a seed, typically sown in late summer and germinating either in fall or the following spring. Upon germination, the seedling establishes a small rhizome which gradually matures, producing narrow, grass-like leaves. In the second or third year, the rhizome has grown sufficiently to support the flowering stage, where it produces the plant's characteristic colorful and fragrant flowers, typically in late spring. After flowering, seed pods may form, containing seeds that disperse to propagate the next generation. The plant goes through a dormancy period during late summer, where growth slows down and the foliage may die back. This cycle repeats annually, with the rhizome increasing in size and potentially being divided to propagate new plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- The most popular method of propagation for the Iris 'Ruby Eruption', which belongs to the group of plants commonly known as Dwarf Bearded Irises, is through division. This process is best done in late summer, after the blooming period has ended, usually from July to September. To propagate by division, one would dig up the iris clump and gently separate the rhizomes, which are the horizontal underground stems, being careful to leave several fans of leaves attached to each section. Each divided section should have at least one healthy fan of leaves and a portion of the rhizome. After division, the gardener should trim the leaves to about one-third of their original height, or around 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters), to reduce water loss and transplant the new divisions into a well-draining soil with the rhizome just barely visible above the soil surface. Newly planted divisions should be watered thoroughly to help establish them.