Spuria Iris Iris 'Shelford Giant' (Spuria)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The Iris 'Shelford Giant' is a striking plant that displays an eye-catching combination of colors and forms. It boasts large, ruffled blooms that exhibit a harmonious blend of colors. These flowers often feature a mix of warm tones, like yellows, oranges, and browns, creating a gradient of sunset hues that are truly compelling. The petals have a distinct elegance with their smooth, satiny surface and can sometimes have intricate veining or spotting, adding to their ornamental appeal. The plant's foliage consists of long, slender leaves that are sword-shaped and create an upright, fan-like form. These leaves are bright green, providing a lush backdrop that contrasts strikingly with the vibrant blooms. The arrangement of these leaves around the base of the plant adds an architectural element to its overall appearance, enhancing the dramatic effect of the flowering spikes that rise above them. The Iris 'Shelford Giant' possesses a regal presence in any garden or landscape, with its bold blossoms making it a focal point wherever it grows. Its majestic flowers are carried on sturdy stalks that emerge from the clumps of foliage, creating a visual spectacle that draws attention and admiration from passersby. The combination of the plant's striking foliage and mesmerizing flowers makes it a cherished addition to beds, borders, and water garden settings.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Shelford Giant Spuria Iris, Giant Spuria Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Shelford Giant' (Spuria).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Spuria Iris has been reported to be potentially toxic if ingested. Consumption can lead to digestive discomfort, including symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In some cases, handling the plant may also cause skin irritation due to the presence of irisin, a substance found in bulbous Iris species. It is always prudent to avoid ingesting parts of this plant and to exercise caution when handling it to prevent potential adverse effects.
- To pets
  The Spuria Iris is considered toxic to pets if ingested. Eating parts of the plant can result in gastrointestinal distress for animals, potentially causing symptoms such as vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and diarrhea. Serious cases of ingestion might even lead to more severe symptoms and may require veterinary attention. Pet owners should take measures to prevent pets from chewing on or consuming any parts of the Spuria Iris to avoid possible toxicity.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Yellow
- Height
  4 feet [1.2 meters]
- Spread
  2 feet [0.6 meters]
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Caucasus

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental value: The Iris 'Shelford Giant' adds aesthetic appeal to gardens with its tall stature and large, showy blooms that come in vibrant colors.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, it is quite tolerant of drought, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water-use gardens.
- Attracts wildlife: The flowers can attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity in the garden.
- Easy to divide: Clumps of Iris 'Shelford Giant' can be easily divided to propagate the plant and cover more area in the landscape.
- Soil adaptability: It can tolerate a range of soil conditions, although it prefers well-drained soils, making it a versatile addition to various garden settings.
- Low maintenance: This iris requires minimal care once established, with occasional watering and the removal of spent flowers to promote new growth.
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 sturdy stalks of Spuria Iris can be used in basket weaving to provide structural support to the baskets' sides.
- The fibrous leaves of the Spuria Iris can be processed to create a natural textile dye, adding a soft color to fabrics.
- The plant can be used in educational settings, such as biology or botany classes, to demonstrate plant structure and growth habits.
- In eco-friendly landscaping, Spuria Iris can be implemented in graywater filtration systems to help reduce pollutants.
- These irises can be used as a biological pest control agent since they attract predatory insects which help reduce the population of harmful pests.
- The dried seed pods of Spuria Iris can be used in decorative crafts or as part of floral arrangements.
- They can act as a natural soil stabilizer for riverbanks or slopes due to their extensive root systems.
- Spuria Iris can be integrated into a wildlife garden to provide shelter and potential nesting sites for small animals and insects.
- The tall presence of the Spuria Iris can be used as a living barrier or privacy screen in garden settings.
- Plant enthusiasts can use the distinct pattern and coloration of the Spuria Iris's petals in the art of flower pressing.

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: The Iris often symbolizes hope, representing belief in a positive future.
- Faith: It is a symbol of faith, frequently found in religious artwork to represent trust in higher powers.
- Wisdom: Historically, the iris is associated with wisdom and valued for its deep meanings in various cultures.
- Courage: In some contexts, the iris denotes courage, inspiring people to face challenges with bravery.
- Royalty: Due to its regal appearance, the iris is often used to signify royalty and noble bearing.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-5 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Spuria Irises such as the 'Shelford Giant' should be watered deeply once a week, providing approximately one inch of water each time. During hot, dry periods, increase the frequency to twice a week. Ensure that the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. It is best to water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and allow foliage to dry out, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Over the course of a month, this would amount to about 4 gallons of water for each plant.
Light
Spuria Irises like the 'Shelford Giant' perform best in full sun, which means they should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. They can tolerate partial shade, but too much shade can hinder bloom production. The ideal location for these irises is a spot that receives bright, unfiltered sunlight throughout the day.
Temperature
Spuria Irises, including the 'Shelford Giant,' thrive in a wide range of temperatures but prefer the warmth. Ideally, daytime temperatures should be between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while they can survive nighttime temperatures down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The irises require a period of dormancy in winter with colder temperatures to prepare for spring blooming.
Pruning
The Spuria Iris 'Shelford Giant' requires pruning to remove spent blooms and to maintain plant health. Pruning should be done after flowering in late spring or early summer by cutting back flower stalks to the base. This encourages the plant to channel energy into root and bulb development. Additionally, remove any dead or damaged leaves to prevent disease.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Spuria Iris prefers well-drained soil with a pH of slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (6.0-7.5). A soil mix containing loam, sand, and compost works best to provide adequate drainage and fertility.
Repotting
Spuria Iris, being a robust plant, typically doesn't need frequent repotting. Repot every 3 to 5 years or when the clump becomes too crowded.
Humidity & Misting
Spuria Iris isn't overly sensitive to humidity and can thrive in average garden conditions; it does not require high humidity levels.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure full sun, well-draining soil, and moderate water.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, use loamy soil, water as needed.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life of the Spuria Iris 'Shelford Giant' begins with seed germination, which occurs in the soil in favorable conditions of moisture and temperature. Following germination, the plant develops a root system and foliage through a vegetative phase, characterized by the growth of long, slender leaves. As it matures, the iris forms rhizomes, which are horizontal stems that grow underground and store nutrients. The next stage is flowering, typically in late spring to early summer, where the tall bearded irises boast striking blooms in various shades. After pollination, the flowers produce seed capsules, which upon maturity, release seeds to start the cycle anew or expand the plant's presence. In the final stage, the iris enters a period of dormancy during the colder months, conserving energy until the next growing season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late Summer
- Propogation: Spuria Irises, such as the 'Shelford Giant', are most commonly propagated through division. The best time to divide and propagate these plants is in late summer after the plants have finished blooming and begun to go dormant. This gives the new divisions time to establish themselves before the onset of cold winter weather. To propagate, carefully dig up the clumps and gently separate the rhizomes, ensuring that each division has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the root system. Once divided, the new plants should be replanted promptly at the same soil depth they were growing at previously, spacing them about 12 to 24 inches apart (30 to 60 centimeters) to allow ample room for growth. It is important to keep the new plantings well-watered until they are established.