Tall Bearded Iris Iris 'Sultan's Palace' (TB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Sultan's Palace' is a striking plant that showcases bold and dramatic flowers. Each bloom presents a deep, velvety maroon or burgundy hue with a slightly ruffled texture that adds an elegant flair. The falls, which are the petals that droop downwards, display a rich color saturation, while the standards, the upright petals, offer a slightly lighter tone that may have hints of the same deep color. The flowers also feature a distinct beard in a vibrant contrasting color, like a gold or bright orange, that creates an eye-catching effect against the darker petals. This bright beard is often seen as a fuzzy strip that runs down the middle of the falls. The foliage consists of long, slender, sword-shaped leaves that create a lush, green, and upright clump, serving as a perfect backdrop for the stunning floral display. The bloom stalks emerge gracefully from among these leaves, showcasing the ornate flowers high above the foliage for an impressive display of color and form. Overall, Iris 'Sultan's Palace' is known for its rich, luxurious coloration and beautiful, classically shaped flowers that can add a touch of opulence and grandeur to any garden setting.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Tall Bearded Iris, Bearded Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Sultan's Palace' (TB).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Iris 'Sultan's Palace', commonly known as Bearded Iris, contains compounds that can be toxic if ingested. The rhizomes, which are the underground stems, are particularly known to have higher concentrations of these toxic substances. If a person eats parts of the Bearded Iris, they might experience symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Handling the plant has also been known to cause skin irritation in some individuals. It is advised to keep this plant out of the reach of children who might be tempted to eat it.
- To pets
  The Bearded Iris can also be toxic to pets if ingested. The rhizomes are the most toxic part, but all parts of the plant have the potential to cause harm. If a pet such as a dog or cat ingests the Bearded Iris, they may exhibit signs of poisoning including drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to gastrointestinal upset and potentially more serious complications. It is important to prevent pets from chewing on or ingesting any part of the plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Red
- Height
  3 feet [91 cm]
- Spread
  2 feet [61 cm]
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Temperate Northern Hemisphere

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Appeal: The Iris 'Sultan's Palace' adds stunning visual interest to gardens with its striking deep burgundy-red blooms, creating an eye-catching display during its flowering season.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, this tall bearded iris is fairly drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for gardeners seeking water-efficient plants.
- Ease of Care: This particular iris variety is known for being low-maintenance, requiring minimal care beyond initial planting and occasional feeding and dividing.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers of the Iris 'Sultan's Palace' are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Seasonal Interest: Blooming in late spring to early summer, it provides a burst of color when many other plants are finishing their spring show or haven't started their summer display.
- Perennial Growth: As a perennial, it returns every year, providing consistent beauty and structure to a garden bed without the need to replant annually.
- Landscape Versatility: It can be used in a variety of garden designs, including borders, mixed beds, and as a focal point due to its tall and stately form.
- Cut Flower Use: The blooms make for elegant cut flowers, allowing enthusiasts to bring a touch of the garden's beauty indoors.
- Cold Hardiness: The Iris 'Sultan's Palace' is generally cold-hardy, making it suitable for gardens in cooler climates within its growing zones.
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
- Photography prop: The vibrant, deep red-orange flowers of the Iris 'Sultan's Palace' provide a stunning subject for botanical photographers and can add a vivid splash of color to any photo collection.
- Artistic inspiration: Artists may use the unique coloration and structure of 'Sultan's Palace' irises as inspiration for paintings, drawings, and textile designs.
- Culinary decoration: Although not widely known for culinary uses, the petals could potentially be used as an ornate and edible garnish for sophisticated plating, provided they are confirmed safe and pesticide-free.
- Education and research: Horticulture students and botanists might study the Iris 'Sultan's Palace' for its unique characteristics and breeding techniques as part of their research on plant genetics and hybridization.
- Fragrance extraction: The scent of some iris flowers can be used in the production of perfumes, and Iris 'Sultan's Palace' may contribute a unique note, although this is not a common usage.
- Dye source: The deep pigmentation of 'Sultan's Palace' petals may be explored as a natural dye for fabrics, handicrafts, or art projects.
- Symbolic gift: Due to its royal name and striking appearance, the plant may be used in a bouquet that symbolizes majesty or regal beauty as a thoughtful and unique gift.
- Wedding decor: This iris can be incorporated into wedding bouquets, centerpieces, and venue decorations, providing a luxurious and romantic touch to the event.
- Theme gardens: Planting 'Sultan's Palace' irises in a middle-eastern or royalty-themed garden could emphasize the theme with its distinct, noble appearance.
- Eco-friendly crafting: Dried petals and stems of the iris can be used in eco-friendly crafting projects or to make natural potpourri.

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
- Faith: Irises commonly symbolize faith, reflecting the plant’s ability to endure and persist, which is a quality often associated with steadfast belief.
- Hope: The iris is often seen as a symbol of hope, with its vibrant bloom signifying the anticipation and belief in a brighter future.
- Wisdom: Historically, the iris is connected to wisdom, a trait attributed to the flower due to its regal appearance and association with ancient Greek mythology, where it was linked to the goddess Iris, a messenger of the gods.
- Courage: The striking appearance of the iris can also stand for courage, as it boldly stands out in the garden with its distinct shape and color.
- Purity: As a flower that frequently appears in religious contexts, the iris can represent purity or innocence, particularly its white varieties.

💧

Every week

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late Summer to Early Autumn

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
For the Tall Bearded Iris 'Sultan's Palace', water thoroughly whenever the top few inches of soil are dry. Typically, this means watering once a week, but frequency may increase during dry spells or decrease during cool, wet periods. Provide about one inch of water or roughly half a gallon per square foot of soil every week during the growing season. In winter or during periods of rainfall, reduce watering. Ensure good drainage as these plants do not like to be waterlogged.
Light
The Tall Bearded Iris 'Sultan's Palace' thrives in full sun, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot is an open area where it can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout the day without being shaded by larger plants or structures. Partial shade is tolerable, especially in hotter climates, but may reduce blooming.
Temperature
Tall Bearded Iris 'Sultan's Palace' is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures but grows best when daytime temperatures are between 55°F and 75°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to 5°F and maximum temperatures up to 90°F. Ideal growing conditions are moderate, avoiding extreme cold or heat which can stress the plant.
Pruning
The Tall Bearded Iris 'Sultan's Palace' should be pruned to remove spent flower stems after blooming to promote plant health and appearance. Additionally, in late summer or fall, cut back the foliage to a height of about six inches to prepare the plant for winter and to remove any diseased or damaged leaves. Pruning is usually done on an annual basis or as needed to remove dead or diseased tissue.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Tall Bearded Iris 'Sultan's Palace' prefers a well-draining soil mix with loamy or sandy characteristics; a neutral to slightly acidic pH of 6.8 to 7.0 is ideal. Amending garden soil with compost will enhance drainage and fertility for optimal growth.
Repotting
Tall Bearded Iris, such as 'Sultan's Palace', generally do not need frequent repotting and should be divided and replanted about every 3-4 years to maintain vigor and flower quality.
Humidity & Misting
The Tall Bearded Iris 'Sultan's Palace' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels; however, it thrives best in average outdoor humidity conditions without the need for additional humidity control.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure full sun, well-draining soil; water moderately.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-drained soil, and moderate watering.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Iris 'Sultan's Palace', commonly known as Tall Bearded Iris, begins its life as a dormant rhizome which, when planted, will sprout new roots and foliage. As it enters the growing season, it produces long sword-like leaves that grow in a fan-like pattern. In late spring to early summer, it sends up a tall flower stalk that bears the distinctive, richly colored blooms that can grow quite tall. Once flowering concludes, the plant enters a period of vegetative growth where the foliage continues to photosynthesize and store energy for the next season. In the fall, the above-ground foliage dies back with the first frosts, and the plant goes dormant, storing energy in the rhizome through winter. The lifecycle repeats annually, with the rhizome potentially dividing and producing offsets that can be separated and planted to propagate new plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late Summer to Early Autumn
- The Iris 'Sultan's Palace', commonly known as Tall Bearded Iris, is typically propagated through the division of rhizomes. This process is best conducted after the flowering season has ended, generally late summer to early fall. To propagate, gardeners should carefully dig up the iris clumps and gently separate the rhizomes, ensuring that each division has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of healthy roots. The divisions should be trimmed, cutting the leaves into a fan shape about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) tall to reduce moisture loss. The newly divided rhizomes are then replanted in well-draining soil, with the top of the rhizome slightly exposed to the air. This allows the plant to establish itself before the onset of winter, ensuring a robust growth for the coming spring.