Thornbird Iris Iris 'Thornbird' (TB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Thornbird' is a captivating plant known for its distinctive flowers. The blooms of this bearded iris exhibit a unique color palette, featuring soft yellow, creamy hues, often described as a muted beige or pale yellow. The petals, known as falls, displays an eye-catching greenish-yellow or chartreuse signal, which is a contrasting spot of color at the center of the lower petals that guides pollinators to the flower's reproductive parts. The central part of the flower, or the beard, is an intriguing feature that contrasts sharply with the gentle tones of the petals; it often sports a richer golden or mustard yellow hue. This beard adds to the allure and complexity of the flower's appearance. Above the falls, the standards, which are the upright petals, echo the color of the falls and complete the elegant look of the flower, contributing to its upright and stately posture. The foliage of 'Thornbird' consists of long, slender, sword-shaped leaves that typically exhibit a deep green coloration, providing a lush backdrop for the stunning blooms. The leaves add a contrasting texture and color that complements the delicate complexity of the flowers, creating a dynamic and visually appealing display when the plant is in bloom.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae.
- Synonyms
  Bearded Iris, Thornbird.
- Common names
  Iris 'Thornbird'
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  2-3 feet (0.61-0.91 meters)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (0.3-0.61 meters)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3-9
- Native area
  North America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental value: Iris 'Thornbird' features unique and attractive flowers that add aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Variety in landscaping: The plant's distinctive blooms and foliage offer variety to garden designs and can be used in borders, beds, and as focal points.
- Easy to grow: Iris 'Thornbird' is known for being hardy and easy to cultivate, requiring minimal care once established.
- Drought tolerance: This variety is relatively drought-resistant, which makes it suitable for xeriscaping and arid climate landscaping.
- Attracts pollinators: The flowers attract bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for pollinating gardens and the local ecosystem.
- Long blooming period: It typically has a long flowering season, providing color and interest in the garden for an extended time.
- Low maintenance: Iris 'Thornbird' does not require frequent maintenance, making it a convenient choice for busy gardeners.
- Adaptable: It can adapt to a wide range of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soils.
- Propagates easily: Through division of rhizomes, gardeners can easily propagate Iris 'Thornbird' to expand their garden or share with others.
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
- Ornamental Water Features: 'Thornbird' iris can be grown near ponds or water features to add vertical interest and a splash of color.
- Companion Planting: They can be paired with early spring bulbs, such as daffodils or tulips, to create a layered flowering effect in the garden.
- Floral Artistry: The unique form and color of 'Thornbird' can be used in floral arrangements to add an exotic touch.
- Natural Fabric Dyes: The blooms of 'Thornbird' can potentially be used to create natural dyes for fabrics.
- Crafting Potpourri: Dried 'Thornbird' flowers can be combined with other fragrant botanicals to create homemade potpourri.
- Photography Subject: Gardeners and photographers may use 'Thornbird' iris as a captivating subject for garden photography due to its distinctive color and form.
- Education and Study: 'Thornbird' can be used for educational purposes, teaching about plant hybridization and genetics within irises.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not commonly consumed, the petals of 'Thornbird' can be used as a decorative, edible garnish for salads and desserts (if they are free of pesticides).
- Garden Design: They can be used to implement a "thriller, filler, spiller" design principle in container gardens, acting as the "thriller" with their tall, striking flowers.
- Feng Shui: Some practitioners may use 'Thornbird' irises to bring color and a sense of balance to the garden as per Feng Shui principles.

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 generally symbolizes hope, conveying a sense of anticipation and positive expectations for the future.
- Wisdom: Often associated with wisdom, the Iris can represent knowledge, valued insight, and the enlightenment that often accompanies learning.
- Trust: The flower is sometimes linked with trust, expressing the deep sense of reliability and assurance one can have in another person.
- Purity: Historically, the Iris has been seen as a symbol of purity, especially in the context of its use by the French monarchy, which correlated the flower with the Virgin Mary and royal dignity.
- Royalty: The Iris is known for its symbolism of royalty and regal bearing, reflecting its association with the French crown and its stately appearance.
- Valor: Reflecting its proud and upright stance, the Iris sometimes symbolizes courage and valor, denoting bravery and resilience in the face of adversity.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late summer to fall

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Tall Bearded Irises like 'Thornbird' should be watered deeply to encourage root growth, especially during the first year and in dry spells. An inch of water per week, whether from rainfall or irrigation, is generally recommended. During the growing season, this typically amounts to about half a gallon per square foot every week. In hot, dry climates, the frequency may increase, but always allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
Light
Tall Bearded Irises like 'Thornbird' perform best in full sun, which means they should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant them in a spot where they can soak up the morning sun, as this helps to dry the dew on the leaves and flowers, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
Temperature
Tall Bearded Irises, including 'Thornbird', thrive in a temperature range from 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season. They can survive winter temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit, but should be protected with mulch in colder zones. The ideal growing temperature is around 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
Pruning
Prune Tall Bearded Irises like 'Thornbird' to remove spent flowers and cut back the entire foliage to a few inches above the ground after frost in fall. This helps to prevent iris borer and other issues. Additionally, divide the rhizomes every 3 to 5 years, typically from late July to September, to rejuvenate the plant and encourage flowering.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Bearded Iris thrive in well-draining soil with a pH of 6.8 to 7.0. A mix of loamy soil amended with compost and coarse sand is ideal to ensure proper drainage and fertility.
Repotting
Bearded Iris typically do not require frequent repotting; they should be divided and transplanted every three to five years to maintain vigor and flower production.
Humidity & Misting
Bearded Iris prefers a dry climate and does not require high humidity; average air moisture will suffice.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, minimal watering, and cool temperatures.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, spaced 18 inches apart.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Iris 'Thornbird' (TB), commonly known as Bearded Iris, begins its life cycle as a seed. Once the seed germinates, it develops into a rhizome, a horizontal stem that usually grows underground and can produce roots and shoots from its nodes. Over time, the rhizome will send up green, sword-like leaves and stems, indicating the vegetative growth phase. During the flowering stage, which typically occurs in late spring to early summer, the Bearded Iris produces its distinctive large, showy flowers, which come in various colors including the unique yellow and purple hues of 'Thornbird'. After blooming, the plant enters a period of dormancy, especially in climates with cold winters; this rest period is crucial for the survival and health of the plant. Lastly, the rhizome can be divided every few years to prevent overcrowding and encourage more vigorous growth and flowering in subsequent seasons.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late summer to fall
- The most popular method to propagate Iris 'Thornbird', commonly known as the Tall Bearded Iris, is by division of its rhizomes. This is typically done after the blooming period, from mid-summer to early fall, when the plant's growth slows down. To propagate, carefully dig up the clumps of iris rhizomes and brush off the soil. Using a sharp knife, separate the rhizomes by cutting them apart, making sure each section has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of roots. Trim the leaves to a third of their height to reduce water loss. Plant the divided rhizomes into a well-drained soil, setting them so the top of the rhizome is slightly exposed to the air, and water them in. This division helps rejuvenate the plant and can be repeated every 3 to 5 years to maintain vigor and flowering.