Intermediate Bearded Iris Iris 'Susan Gillespie' (IB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Iris 'Susan Gillespie' is a captivating plant known for its ornamental appeal, with striking flower features and lush foliage that bring elegance to any garden. The plant showcases blooms which have an enthralling blend of colors. These flowers are typically characterized by their three upright petals, known as standards, and three outer hanging petals, known as falls. The standards can typically be observed sporting a pale, creamy yellow color that exudes a subtle charm. Complementing the standards, the falls exhibit a plush apricot or peach tone with a delicate veining pattern, which often gives the impression of an intricate network of lines that can capture the admiration of any onlooker. Delving deeper into the floral characteristics, the petals may exhibit a gentle ruffling along their edges, adding a sense of depth and texture to the flower's overall appearance. This ruffled look brings a frilly, flamboyant quality to the bloom, making the flowers themselves seem to be in a state of graceful yet vivacious dance. These blooms cluster at the end of sturdy, upright stems that emerge from the base of the plant, each stem capable of producing multiple flowers, providing a prolific and showy display when in full bloom. The beauty of Iris 'Susan Gillespie' is further accentuated by its sword-like foliage, which forms a dense clump and gives a lush backdrop to the stunning flowers. The leaves have a rich green color, which not only contrasts with the warm hues of the blooms but also adds a perennial structural element to the garden, remaining visually pleasing even when the plant is not in flower. The combination of the resplendent blooms and the robust greenery gives the Iris 'Susan Gillespie' an appearance that is both delicate in its floriferous allure and resilient in its foliage form.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Intermediate Bearded Iris, IB Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Susan Gillespie' (IB).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Iris 'Susan Gillespie' (IB), commonly known as Bearded Iris, may contain irritants, particularly in its rhizomes (root system). However, it is generally not considered highly toxic to humans. If ingested, it can cause stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Handling the plant can sometimes lead to skin irritation due to its light toxicity. It is advisable to avoid eating any part of the plant and to wash hands after handling it to prevent potential skin reactions.
- To pets
  The Bearded Iris, if ingested by pets, can be toxic. Symptoms of Bearded Iris poisoning in pets can include gastrointestinal upset such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In some cases, there might be excessive salivation or lethargy. It is primarily the rhizomes that contain the irritants, so pet owners should ensure that these are not accessible to their pets to prevent any chance of ingestion and subsequent poisoning.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  2 feet (60 cm)
- Spread
  2 feet (60 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  4
- Native area
  North America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Beauty: Provides visual appeal with its delicate blooms and striking green foliage.
- Landscape Versatility: Suitable for borders, water gardens, and container planting.
- Pollinator Attraction: Flowers attract bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for busy gardeners.
- Drought Tolerance: Can withstand periods of low water once fully established.
- Cold Hardy: Adapts to a variety of climates and can survive through cold winters.
- Soil Adaptability: Tolerates a range of soil conditions, from moderately acidic to alkaline.
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
- Crafting natural dyes: The petals of the Iris 'Susan Gillespie' can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, offering a range of purples and blues depending on the mordant used.
- Photography subject: Due to its distinctive and vibrant flowers, this iris variety is often used as a subject for botanical photography and garden portfolio imagery.
- Floral art: The blooms of the Iris 'Susan Gillespie' are sometimes used in floral arrangements and Ikebana, a Japanese art of flower arrangement, for their unique shape and color.
- Garden design: This iris can be used in thematic garden designs, such as 'monochrome' gardens, due to its consistent flower coloring.
- Culinary decoration: Although not widely known for culinary use, the petals of some iris varieties may be used as a decorative element for salads and desserts, though caution is advised as some parts can be toxic.
- Educational tool: Botany enthusiasts and educators may use the Iris 'Susan Gillespie' to teach about plant genetics and hybridization due to its cultivated variety status.
- Horticultural shows: Exhibited at flower shows and horticultural competitions, this iris can be a striking addition in categories focused on perennials or specific flower breeds.
- Perfume inspiration: Although not primarily used for extraction, the scent of the Iris 'Susan Gillespie' can inspire fragrances and aromatic products.
- Feng Shui: Some practitioners use irises in Feng Shui garden layouts to introduce wood element colors and improve the visual flow of the garden landscape.
- Seasonal celebrations: In some cultures, the iris is symbolic and may be integrated into events and festivities that occur during its blooming season.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Iris is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Wisdom - Irises are often associated with wisdom, reflecting a maturity and valued insight that is symbolized through their stately appearance.
- Hope - The iris's resilience and ability to bloom in a variety of conditions symbolize hope and the idea of looking toward a positive future.
- Trust - Given as a gift, irises can convey a message of trust, representing faith in the relationship between giver and receiver.
- Purity - The pure, bright colors of the iris are traditionally seen as symbolic of purity, especially in historical contexts such as those tied to the Virgin Mary in Christian symbolism.
- Courage - The iris can be a symbol of courage, as it stands tall and elegant, reminding of the need to be brave in difficult situations.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Intermediate Bearded Iris, including 'Susan Gillespie', should be watered deeply to encourage deep rooting, particularly during the growing season. It's essential to avoid overwatering, as this can lead to rhizome rot. They require about an inch of water per week, either from rainfall or supplemental watering. During hot, dry spells, increase the frequency of watering, but always allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Bearded Irises are drought-tolerant once established and prefer less water than too much.
Light
Intermediate Bearded Iris thrives in full sun and requires a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily to bloom successfully. They can tolerate partial shade but may not flower as prolifically. The best spot for an Iris 'Susan Gillespie' is an area that receives ample sunlight away from the shade of trees or buildings.
Temperature
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Susan Gillespie' prefers temperate climates and typically thrives in temperatures between 35 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant can survive minimum temperatures down to around 5 degrees Fahrenheit in winter but should be protected from extreme cold. During the growing season, it is crucial to maintain a temperature range that does not consistently exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent stress on the plant.
Pruning
Pruning Intermediate Bearded Iris is essential for maintaining plant health and encouraging blooms. After flowering, cut the flower stalks down to the base to divert energy to the rhizomes. Once a year, typically in late summer, trim the leaves to a height of about 6 inches to prepare the plant for winter. Pruning also helps to prevent disease by improving air circulation around the plant.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Susan Gillespie' thrives in well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH of 6.8 to 7.0. A mix of loamy soil amended with compost and well-rotted manure suits it best. Ensure efficient drainage to prevent root rot.
Repotting
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Susan Gillespie' typically does not require frequent repotting. It is best to divide and repot these irises every 3 to 5 years to maintain vigor and to manage overcrowding.
Humidity & Misting
Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Susan Gillespie' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require high humidity. Average outdoor conditions are generally suitable, which equates to a humidity range of about 40-60%.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Grow Intermediate Bearded Iris in sunny spots with well-draining soil.
- Outdoor
  Plant in sun, well-drained soil, divide every 3-5 years.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA.
Life cycle
Iris 'Susan Gillespie', an Intermediate Bearded (IB) iris, begins its life cycle as a seed, which after stratification, germinates in warm soil. The seedling gradually develops into a young plant, producing its characteristic long, narrow leaves. As the plant matures, it forms a rhizome underground, which is a horizontal stem capable of producing roots and shoots for new growth. During the spring, typically in its second or third year, the iris produces flower stalks bearing the distinctive flowers which can be recognized by their three upright petals (standards) and three drooping sepals (falls). After blooming, the flowers are pollinated, either by insects or through human intervention, leading to the formation of seed pods that eventually dry and open to release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. Throughout the growing season, the plant continues to photosynthesize and store energy in the rhizome for the next year's growth, and as temperatures drop, it enters a period of dormancy to survive the winter before restarting the cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The most popular way to propagate an Iris 'Susan Gillespie', commonly known as an Intermediate Bearded Iris, is through division of its rhizomes. This is typically done after the flowering season, usually late summer to early fall. To propagate by division, you need to carefully dig up the iris clump and gently separate the rhizomes, ensuring each section has at least one fan of leaves and healthy roots. The separated rhizomes can be replanted in well-draining soil at a depth where the top of the rhizome is just barely visible above the soil surface. It is important to space the divisions about 12 to 24 inches apart to give each plant enough room to grow. After planting, water the new irises thoroughly to help establish them in their new location.