Yellow flag iris Iris pseudacorus 'Roy Davidson'

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris pseudacorus 'Roy Davidson', commonly known as the yellow flag iris, has a striking appearance that is notable for its beautiful flowers and foliage. The plant typically features sword-like leaves that are bright green and erect, forming a dense, clump-like arrangement. The leaves emerge from thick, creeping rhizomes that anchor the plant firmly in the ground. The most eye-catching aspect of 'Roy Davidson' is its flowers. They are large and showy with a distinctive yellow hue that is paler and more lemony compared to the typical yellow flag iris. Each flower is composed of three upright petals (standards) and three downwards-curving sepals (falls), which are often adorned with a network of brown or purple veins, adding a unique contrast to the soft yellow background. The sepals display a lovely yellow color and may have delicate veining or markings that enhance their visual appeal. These blooms are typically arranged in clusters and can be found atop tall, sturdy stems that rise above the green foliage, making a dramatic and colorful statement in the landscape. The blooming period for 'Roy Davidson' makes it a highly desirable plant for gardeners looking to add a splash of color during its flowering season.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Yellow Flag, Yellow Iris, Water Flag, Paleyellow Iris
- Common names
  Limnirion pseudacorus (L.) Opiz, Xiphion pseudacorus (L.) Schrank, Iris pseudacorus.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Yellow iris, which is the common name of Iris pseudacorus 'Roy Davidson', is considered toxic to humans if ingested. The plant contains compounds such as irisin, iridin, or irisine which can induce gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. There is also a potential for skin irritation upon contact with the sap. Severe cases, though less common, may involve symptoms such as difficulty breathing and even heart issues if large amounts are consumed.
- To pets
  Yellow iris is also toxic to pets, including both cats and dogs. Ingestion of any part of the plant can lead to symptoms similar to those in humans, such as vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and diarrhea. The plant contains compounds that can irritate the gastrointestinal system. Potentially, it could also cause dermatitis if pets come into contact with the sap. It is important to seek veterinary care if a pet is suspected to have ingested any part of a yellow iris.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Yellow
- Height
  3 feet [0.91 meters]
- Spread
  2 feet [0.61 meters]
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts Wildlife: Iris pseudacorus 'Roy Davidson' can attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden.
- Ornamental Value: With striking yellow flowers, this plant adds aesthetic appeal to water gardens, pond edges, and wetland areas.
- Erosion Control: The plant's robust root system can help stabilize soil and reduce erosion near water bodies.
- Habitat Creation: Provides shelter and breeding sites for various aquatic creatures like amphibians and insects.
- Water Filtration: Can improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients from the water, thus reducing algae 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
- Water filtration: Iris pseudacorus 'Roy Davidson', or yellow iris, can help in water filtration systems by absorbing excess nutrients and pollutants in constructed wetlands.
- Erosion control: The robust root systems of the yellow iris help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion along waterways.
- Dye production: Historically, the yellow iris was used to produce a yellow dye for textiles from its flowers and a black dye from its rhizomes.
- Thatching material: The long, sturdy leaves of the yellow iris have been used in traditional thatching practices for roofing materials.
- Garden aesthetic: The striking color and large blooms of the yellow iris are used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of water gardens and ponds.
- Wildlife habitat: The dense foliage provides shelter and breeding grounds for wildlife, particularly for amphibians and invertebrates.
- Floristry: The flowers and seed pods are used in floral arrangements and as cut flowers due to their unique appearance and long vase life.
- Photography subject: Due to its striking appearance, the yellow iris is a popular subject for photographers, especially those specializing in botanical and nature photography.
- Educational tool: This plant is sometimes used in educational programs to teach about plant biology, wetland ecosystems, and invasive species management.
- Seasonal indicator: The blooming of yellow iris is often used as a phenological indicator, signaling the start of certain seasons or climate conditions.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Yellow flag iris is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Yellow flag iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Purity: The Iris, generally, symbolizes purity, and 'Roy Davidson' is no exception. Its bright yellow flowers represent the clean and untouched aspect of nature.
- Hope: Many cultures see irises as a symbol of hope. The cheerful color of the yellow flag iris can be a bright spot in gardens, signaling optimism.
- Wisdom: The Iris is connected to wisdom due to its namesake, the Greek goddess Iris, who was a messenger and often linked to communication and new knowledge.
- Faith: The plant stands as a representation of faith, conveying trust and belief, which may draw inspiration from the robust nature of 'Roy Davidson', which persists in various conditions.
- Courage: Iris pseudacorus has been associated with courage partly due to its sword-like foliage, which evokes strength and valor in the face of adversity.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-5 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Yellow flag iris enjoys consistent moisture and can even tolerate standing water, making it an ideal choice for bog gardens or alongside ponds. Ideally, water the plant deeply once a week with about 1-2 gallons of water, ensuring that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. During hot or dry periods, you may need to water more frequently to maintain soil moisture levels. During the winter months or when rainfall is adequate, reduce watering to prevent excess moisture from causing root rot.
Light
Yellow flag iris thrives in full sun to partial shade. It performs best with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day but can tolerate some light shade. The best spot for planting yellow flag iris would be an area that receives morning sunlight and partial afternoon shade, especially in regions with very hot summers.
Temperature
Yellow flag iris is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from winter lows around -20°F to summer highs that reach 90°F or more. The ideal temperature conditions for promoting growth and flowering generally range between 65°F and 75°F. It can withstand brief periods of colder or hotter temperatures, but prolonged exposure outside this range can be stressful for the plant.
Pruning
Pruning yellow flag iris is important to maintain its health and appearance. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering and cut back the foliage to the ground in late fall after it has died back to clean up the plant and prevent disease. Pruning is also necessary to control the spread of the plant, as it can be invasive. The best time for pruning to manage growth is after the flowering season in the summer.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Yellow Flag Iris thrives best in heavy loam soil that retains moisture well. A suitable mix could include garden soil, a bit of clay to hold moisture, and compost for fertility. It prefers acidic to neutral pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
Repotting
Yellow Flag Iris typically does not require frequent repotting. Repot every 2-3 years to prevent overcrowding and renew nutrient availability.
Humidity & Misting
Yellow Flag Iris tolerates a wide range of humidity levels. High humidity is beneficial but not essential, as this plant often grows near water in nature.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Use large pots with moist soil; provide ample light for Yellow Flag Iris.
- Outdoor
  Plant in wet areas or at pond margins in full sun to partial shade.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
Iris pseudacorus 'Roy Davidson', commonly known as Yellow Flag Iris, begins its life cycle with seed germination, which occurs in moist soil or shallow water. As the seedling develops, it forms a rhizome, an underground stem that serves as a storage organ and aids in vegetative reproduction. The plant matures to form clumps of long, sword-shaped leaves and stems that can reach up to 4 feet in height. During the late spring to early summer, the Yellow Flag Iris produces showy yellow flowers, which are then followed by the formation of capsules containing numerous seeds. After seeding, the plant enters a period of dormancy, often in winter, during which the above-ground foliage dies back and the plant survives underground. This perennial then rejuvenates from its rhizome, repeating the cycle in the following growing season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to summer
- Propogation: Iris pseudacorus 'Roy Davidson', commonly known as Yellow Flag Iris, is typically propagated through division, a process best carried out in the late summer to early autumn period. This method involves taking a mature clump of the plant and carefully separating it into smaller sections, each with a portion of the rhizome, or underground stem, and several shoots. Care should be taken to ensure that each section has healthy roots attached to support new growth. After division, the new sections should be replanted promptly in soil that is consistently moist, as Yellow Flag Iris thrives in boggy conditions. Watering should be done immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots and to assist with the plant's recovery and reestablishment.