Tall Bearded Iris Iris 'Severn Side' (TB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Iris 'Severn Side' is a captivating variety known for its beautiful and striking flowers. The blooms display a stunning combination of colors, often characterized by deep, rich violet or purple tones that may be accented with lighter shades or even boldly contrasting white or yellow markings. These eye-catching flowers typically present with large, broad petals that are ruffled or flared, giving off an elegant and somewhat frilly appearance. The standards, or the upright petals, may stand slightly open, while the falls, which are the downward-curving petals, can exhibit a gentle cascading effect. Each individual flower is carried atop a sturdy, erect stem that emanates from a clump of sword-shaped, green foliage. The leaves are long and slender, with a slightly upright to arching habit, forming a graceful and lush background that highlights the vivid colors of the flowers. The foliage can also have a slight glaucous or bluish tint, adding to the plant's overall attractiveness. The Iris 'Severn Side' blooms in the late spring to early summer, providing a showy display of color in gardens and landscapes. Its blossoms are not only visually appealing but may also emit a subtle, sweet fragrance that can attract pollinators and delight the senses of garden visitors. This plant is a rhizomatous perennial, which means it grows from thick, underground stems and can be divided and spread to other parts of the garden if desired, ensuring its beauty can be enjoyed across a larger area year after year.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Tall Bearded Iris, Bearded Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Severn Side' (TB)
Toxicity
- To humans
  Tall Bearded Iris, like many other irises, contains compounds that can be toxic if ingested. The rhizomes (underground stems) and leaves of the plant can cause irritation to the digestive tract if eaten. Symptoms of iris poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In some cases, there can be a more severe reaction such as difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis, but this is rare. Handling the plant can also cause skin irritation for some people. It is recommended to wear gloves when working with irises to prevent skin irritation.
- To pets
  Tall Bearded Iris can also be toxic to pets if ingested. The rhizomes and foliage contain irritant compounds that can lead to gastrointestinal upset for animals such as dogs and cats. Symptoms of ingestion in pets can include salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and in severe cases, more serious gastrointestinal issues. It is essential to prevent pets from consuming any part of the plant and to seek veterinary care if you suspect your pet has ingested iris plant material.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Varies
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3-9
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: The Iris 'Severn Side' is a tall bearded iris known for its stunning blooms that add visual interest and beauty to any garden.
- Variety of Colors: It produces flowers that can vary in color, enhancing the diversity and vibrancy of garden displays.
- Ease of Care: Irises are relatively low maintenance, making them suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, they can tolerate periods of drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Naturalizing: The 'Severn Side' can spread naturally over time, filling in spaces and creating a fuller garden landscape.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers of the iris attract bees and other pollinators, aiding in the health of the garden ecosystem.
- Cut Flowers: Irises make excellent cut flowers with their long stems and striking blooms, ideal for indoor decoration.
- Seasonal Interest: They provide seasonal interest with their late spring to early summer blooming period.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Tall bearded irises are generally resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits, making them a practical choice in areas with wildlife.
- Soil Adaptability: They are adaptable to a range of soil conditions, but prefer well-draining soil.
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: Iris 'Severn Side' can serve as a muse for artists and photographers due to its striking colors and elegant form.
- Botanical Studies: Can be used as a specimen for studying plant structure and genetics, particularly the unique color patterns and breeding of tall bearded irises.
- Companion Planting: When planted among vegetables, the Iris 'Severn Side' can help attract pollinators to increase yield.
- Fabric Dye: The petals of the Iris 'Severn Side' can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, yielding unique hues.
- Garden Themed Events: The striking Iris 'Severn Side' can be the centerpiece in garden weddings or other events, influencing decor and color schemes.
- Floral Arrangement Classes: This particular iris can be used as a teaching tool in floral design due to its unique structure and the way it adds height and drama to arrangements.
- Educational Gardens: Iris 'Severn Side' can be featured in school gardens to teach children about perennial plant care and lifecycle.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not widely known for its edibility, the petals of some iris varieties can be used to add a decorative touch to salads and desserts.
- Perfumery: Iris 'Severn Side', like other irises, may be used as inspiration for perfumes, although it's not one of the common sources for iris fragrance.
- Sustainable Packaging: Dried seed pods from Iris 'Severn Side' can be incorporated into bio-degradable packaging options or craft projects.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Iris is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Faith: The Iris often represents faith, reflecting the trust and belief in something unseen.
- Wisdom: Due to its regal appearance, the Iris is a symbol of wisdom and valued knowledge.
- Hope: The Iris can symbolize hope, an optimistic looking forward to future positive outcomes.
- Courage: In some contexts, the Iris is a symbol of courage, as it endures and blooms boldly.
- Royalty: With its striking presence, the Iris is associated with royalty and nobility.
- Purity: The Iris can also represent purity, especially when considering the flower's clean, crisp lines.

💧

Every 7 to 10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3 to 5 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late Summer to Early Fall

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
For the Tall Bearded Iris, commonly known as the Bearded Iris, water thoroughly and deeply once a week during active growth periods, ensuring at least an inch of water is received, which can be around 0.6 gallons for a typical garden bed. During the hotter months, water may need to be increased to twice a week if there is insufficient rainfall. Over watering or allowing the plant to sit in water can lead to root rot, so well-draining soil is essential. Reduce watering after blooming has finished and during dormant periods in the late fall and winter, as the plant requires drier conditions during this time.
Light
Bearded Iris thrives best in full sunlight, which equates to at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Choose a spot in the garden that receives unobstructed sunlight for the majority of the day. While they can tolerate partial shade, too much shade can result in fewer blooms and an increased risk of disease.
Temperature
Bearded Iris prefers temperate climates and can generally withstand temperatures as low as 5°F in the winter and as high as 90°F in the summer. The ideal growing temperatures for Bearded Iris range between 55°F and 75°F. They are hardy plants which can endure seasonal temperature fluctuations well, but consistently extreme temperatures outside the given range may impede their growth.
Pruning
Pruning Bearded Iris involves removing any dead or damaged foliage as needed to keep the plant healthy and prevent disease. After the iris has finished blooming, usually in late spring, cut back the bloom stalks to the base of the plant to encourage next year's growth. Trim away any brown tips on the leaves during the growing season to maintain a tidy appearance. After frost in the fall, cut the foliage back to about 6 inches to prepare the plant for winter while leaving enough leaf surface to sustain the plant's health.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Irises require well-drained soil to flourish. For the Tall Bearded Iris, create a mix comprising one-third each of garden soil, well-rotted manure or compost, and sharp sand, ensuring drainage and fertility. A slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.8 to 7.0 is ideal for this variety.
Repotting
Tall Bearded Irises, like the Iris 'Severn Side,' should be repotted or divided every 3 to 4 years. This prevents overcrowding and rejuvenates the plant, encouraging more robust growth and flowering.
Humidity & Misting
Tall Bearded Irises, including the Iris 'Severn Side,' are tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels; they do not require high humidity and can thrive in the average outdoor air moisture.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, cool temps, and good airflow.
- Outdoor
  Plant in sun, ensure good drainage, divide every few years.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Iris 'Severn Side', commonly known as Tall Bearded Iris, begins its life cycle as a dormant rhizome planted in late summer to early fall. The plant starts to develop roots and foliage in the fall, preparing for winter dormancy. Upon the arrival of spring, new growth emerges as the plant develops long, sword-like leaves and robust stems that will bear the colorful flowers. Flowering typically occurs in late spring to early summer, during which time pollination by insects such as bees takes place, allowing for the potential development of seed pods. After blooming, the plant enters a period of vegetative growth, where it stores energy in the rhizome for the next season. Finally, as temperatures drop, the foliage dies back, and the plant becomes dormant again, completing the annual cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late Summer to Early Fall
- Propogation: The Tall Bearded Iris 'Severn Side' is typically propagated through division. The best time for this process is late summer to early fall, a few weeks after the blooming period when the plant is dormant. To propagate by division, clumps of the iris should be carefully dug up and the rhizomes, which are the horizontal plant stems that grow at or just below the soil surface, should be inspected. Any healthy rhizome with at least one leaf fan should be separated using a sharp knife, ensuring a piece of the rhizome and roots are attached to each division. These divisions should then be replanted at the same depth they were growing before, spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart (approximately 45 to 60 centimeters), allowing for enough room for the irises to grow and not be overcrowded. The soil should be well-draining to prevent rot and it's important to water the new divisions well to help establish them. This popular method encourages rejuvenation of the plants and can help in maintaining vigorous growth and bloom.