Spuria Iris Iris 'Wyoming Cowboys' (Spuria)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Wyoming Cowboys', commonly known as the Spuria Iris, is a perennial plant that boasts striking flowers and attractive foliage. The blooms display a captivating color combination, typically featuring petals that may range from deep, saturated shades to a blend of warm and inviting tones. Each flower is comprised of both upright petals known as standards and downward curving petals called falls. The standards and falls often present contrasting colors that add to the visual interest of the bloom. The flowers of the Spuria Iris sit atop slender, rigid stalks which emerge from clumps of long, slender, blade-like leaves. The foliage is typically a rich, deep green color that provides an elegant backdrop for the showy flowers. The leaves bear a resemblance to those of other iris species, with their gracefully arching form and vertical posture. As with many iris varieties, the appeal of Iris 'Wyoming Cowboys' extends beyond its blooms. Even when not in flower, the plant's foliage contributes structure and texture to garden settings, making it not only a burst of seasonal color but also an integral part of the landscape throughout its growing season. The allure of the Spuria Iris is particularly pronounced when planted in groups, where it can create an impressive swath of color and form. The singular beauty of each flower, combined with the overall architectural quality of the plant, makes the Iris 'Wyoming Cowboys' a notable addition to any garden that seeks to make a statement through the use of striking and elegant plants.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Spuria Iris, Butterfly Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Wyoming Cowboys'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Spuria Iris, including the cultivar Iris 'Wyoming Cowboys', is considered mildly toxic to humans if ingested. The primary toxic components are the rhizomes, which can contain irritating substances. Consuming parts of the plant, particularly the rhizomes, can cause symptoms that generally include gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. Touching the plant can sometimes lead to skin irritation due to the presence of certain compounds. It is always advised to keep Spuria Iris out of reach of children and to avoid ingesting any part of the plant.
- To pets
  Spuria Iris, including the cultivar Iris 'Wyoming Cowboys', is also considered mildly toxic to pets, such as dogs and cats, if ingested. The most toxic part of the plant is the rhizome, which can cause symptoms similar to those experienced by humans, including gastrointestinal distress. Signs of Spuria Iris poisoning in pets may include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. If a pet consumes any part of the Spuria Iris, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian to get appropriate guidance for the situation.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Yellow
- Height
  3-4 feet (0.91-1.22 meters)
- Spread
  2-3 feet (0.61-0.91 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Caucasus

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: The striking colors and tall, elegant blooms add visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Resistance: It can survive in dry conditions, making it ideal for xeriscaping or regions with water scarcity.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Pollinator Attraction: Bees and butterflies are drawn to the flowers, helping to pollinate nearby plants.
- Seasonal Interest: It has a specific bloom season, offering a distinct period of floral display in the garden.
- Erosion Control: Its root system helps stabilize soil, reducing erosion in the garden or landscape.
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 Spuria Iris, with its vibrant colors, serves as an excellent subject for both professional and amateur photographers, enhancing the composition of garden and floral photography.
- Edible Flowers: The blossoms of Spuria Iris can be used as a colorful garnish for salads and desserts, although they should be consumed in moderation due to their intense flavor.
- Fabric Dye: The petals of Spuria Iris can be used to naturally dye fabrics, imparting a range of colors from yellow to purple depending on the mordant used.
- Culinary Flavoring: In small quantities, the petals of the Spuria Iris can be infused into syrups, providing a unique floral flavor to cocktails and sweet dishes.
- Eco-Friendly Confetti: Dried petals of Spuria Iris can be utilized as biodegradable confetti for outdoor celebrations, reducing environmental impact.
- Artistic Inspiration: The intricate patterns and vivid hues of the Spuria Iris inspire artists and designers, influencing creations in various mediums like watercolor, textiles, and fashion.
- Botanical Studies: Spuria Iris are often used in educational settings for botany students to study plant structure, pollination mechanisms, and hybridization processes.
- Garden Design Theme: Spuria Iris can serve as a theme for garden designs, creating a "cowboy" or western aesthetic with its bold presence and rustic charm.
- Floral Arrangements: The long stems and striking colors of Spuria Iris make them a popular choice for creating unconventional and eye-catching floral arrangements for events and home decor.
- Perfumery: While not commonly used in perfumery, the Spuria Iris can provide inspiration for scent creation, offering a unique earthy and floral note to fragrance blends.

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
- Royalty: The iris often symbolizes royalty because of its majestic appearance and historical association with kings and queens.
- Wisdom: In ancient Greece, the iris was linked to the goddess Iris, who was a messenger for the gods and a symbol of communication and wisdom.
- Hope: The iris carries a message of hope due to its vibrant bloom emerging in the spring, signifying the arrival of new beginnings.
- Valor: The flower is also a symbol of valor and bravery; its upright posture and bold colors convey a sense of courage.
- Faith: The iris sometimes represents faith, embodying trust and belief in its beauty and resilience.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late Summer to Autumn

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Spuria Iris, including 'Wyoming Cowboys', prefers a well-draining soil and does not like to sit in water, which can lead to root rot. Water these irises deeply but infrequently, ensuring the soil has started to dry out before watering again. During active growth in the spring and early summer, you might water every 7-10 days, using about 1 to 1.5 gallons per plant, depending on your soil type and climate. After blooming, reduce watering as their need for moisture decreases and they enter a period of dormancy, especially in hot summer areas.
Light
Spuria Irises, such as 'Wyoming Cowboys', require full sun to thrive, which equates to at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. They perform best when planted in a spot that gets early morning sun, which is less intense and can help dry dew from the foliage, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Avoid placing them in full shade or even partial shade, as this can hinder their growth and flowering potential.
Temperature
Spuria Irises like 'Wyoming Cowboys' are hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures. They do well in areas where the temperatures range between 30°F and 90°F, but they can survive winter temperature dips to about 0°F. The ideal growing temperature range for these irises is between 55°F and 75°F. They are dormant in late summer heat and do not require warm temperatures during this period.
Pruning
Prune Spuria Irises like 'Wyoming Cowboys' to remove spent flower stalks after blooming to promote good plant health and appearance. In late fall, trim back the foliage to a height of 4 to 6 inches to prepare the plant for winter and reduce the chance of harboring pests and diseases. Pruning is typically done annually; the best time is after blooming and again at the end of the growing season before winter sets in.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Spuria Iris thrives in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of loamy garden soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure is ideal for ensuring healthy growth and blooming.
Repotting
Spuria Irises do not need frequent repotting but should be divided and replanted every 3 to 4 years to prevent overcrowding and promote vigorous growth.
Humidity & Misting
Spuria Iris prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable and can tolerate the varying humidity conditions typically found in outdoor garden settings.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, moderate moisture, and good air flow.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, and space adequately.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
Spuria Iris 'Wyoming Cowboys' begins its life cycle as a rhizome, which is planted in loamy, well-drained soil in a spot with full sun to partial shade. In the first growth stage, leaves emerge in early spring, forming dense clumps of slender, grass-like foliage. As the plant matures, tall flowering stalks shoot up from the clump in late spring to early summer, displaying striking yellow or brownish-yellow flowers that are distinctive to the Wyoming Cowboys cultivar. After blooming, the flowers fade and seedpods may form if pollination occurs, though many gardeners choose to deadhead the flowers to encourage vigor. Throughout the summer, the plant continues to photosynthesize and store energy in its rhizome for the next season. Finally, as winter approaches, the foliage dies back, and the plant enters dormancy, relying on its rhizome to survive the cold months before repeating the cycle in the spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late Summer to Autumn
- The Spuria Iris 'Wyoming Cowboys' is typically propagated by dividing its rhizomes. This process should ideally be carried out in the late summer after the plant has flowered and started to go dormant. Gardeners carefully dig up the clumps of rhizomes and gently separate them, making sure that each division has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the rhizome. The divisions are then replanted at the same soil depth they were previously growing at, spaced about 12 to 24 inches apart to allow room for growth. The soil should be well-drained, as Spuria Iris 'Wyoming Cowboys' does not like to be waterlogged. After replanting, it's important to water the divisions thoroughly to help them establish in their new locations.