Iris x robusta 'Gerald Darby' - BLUE FLAG HYBRID IRIS 'GERALD DARBY'
Selection of naturally occurring hybrid of two native iris species!
Robust and vigorous, with strong wider leaves and purple-blue flowers.
It is very showy in the spring, when you can see the dark purple base of leaves and new growth - this adds lovely feature to the spring garden.
Does grow well in average soil with average moisture, but likes wet feet.
Blooming Time: May to June
Size: usually 2.5-3’ tall and 1.5-2.5' wide, slowly spreads into wide and often a bit irregular clumps
USDA Zones: 4 to 9
Culture: sun, half shade, average soil, clay, boggy soils, loam, pond margins or shallow standing water to 2-4" of depth.
Moisture Needs: average = medium, to wet, waterlogged, soggy soils may be grown as an aquatic plant in shallow water (up to 4" deep)
Origin: Selected by Iris breeder, Gerald Darby in 1967, named in his honor. Iris versicolor is native to Eastern/North Eastern USA and Canada (see the BONAP distribution map). Wild Blue Flag used to be common in northern boggy areas, but increasing development has restricted its habitats. The other parent is Iris virginica, which is a lot more common and is native in the whole eastern and central USA (see the BONAP distribution map)
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: yes
Attracts Hummingbirds: yes
Pot Size: square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot
Picture copyright: 1- Irvin Itienne, 2- US Perennials
Plant combinations: Flower beds, rain gardens, ponds, banks, swales, naturalization, erosion control along streams, wet meadows. Good companions could be Amsonia, Baptisia, Eupatorium, Geum, Chelone, Hibiscus moscheutos hybrids, Kniphofia, Lobelia, Persicaria, Penstemon digitalis hybrids, tall Phloxes and hybrids, Physostegia, Rudbeckia, Silphium, Sanquisorba, Tradescantia, Stachys officinalis hybrids, Veronicastrum etc. and grasss like Panicum, Carex.
Iris x robusta 'Gerald Darby' - BLUE FLAG HYBRID IRIS 'GERALD DARBY'
Selection of naturally occurring hybrid of two native iris species!
Robust and vigorous, with strong wider leaves and purple-blue flowers.
It is very showy in the spring, when you can see the dark purple base of leaves and new growth - this adds lovely feature to the spring garden.
Does grow well in average soil with average moisture, but likes wet feet.
Blooming Time: May to June
Size: usually 2.5-3’ tall and 1.5-2.5' wide, slowly spreads into wide and often a bit irregular clumps
USDA Zones: 4 to 9
Culture: sun, half shade, average soil, clay, boggy soils, loam, pond margins or shallow standing water to 2-4" of depth.
Moisture Needs: average = medium, to wet, waterlogged, soggy soils may be grown as an aquatic plant in shallow water (up to 4" deep)
Origin: Selected by Iris breeder, Gerald Darby in 1967, named in his honor. Iris versicolor is native to Eastern/North Eastern USA and Canada (see the BONAP distribution map). Wild Blue Flag used to be common in northern boggy areas, but increasing development has restricted its habitats. The other parent is Iris virginica, which is a lot more common and is native in the whole eastern and central USA (see the BONAP distribution map)
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: yes
Attracts Hummingbirds: yes
Pot Size: square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot
Picture copyright: 1- Irvin Itienne, 2- US Perennials
Plant combinations: Flower beds, rain gardens, ponds, banks, swales, naturalization, erosion control along streams, wet meadows. Good companions could be Amsonia, Baptisia, Eupatorium, Geum, Chelone, Hibiscus moscheutos hybrids, Kniphofia, Lobelia, Persicaria, Penstemon digitalis hybrids, tall Phloxes and hybrids, Physostegia, Rudbeckia, Silphium, Sanquisorba, Tradescantia, Stachys officinalis hybrids, Veronicastrum etc. and grasss like Panicum, Carex.