Species roof iris
white-bluish-purple flowers with patterns and green leaves

roof iris

Iris tectorum

Roof Iris is a small, evergreen plant that grows to a height of 6-8 inches. Its delicate, sky-blue flowers have a horizontal and drooping posture, giving it its unique name. It’s a species of plants of the Iris Family, commonly found in the northern and western parts of China, Japan and North Korea. It’s an extremely hardy plant and is suitable for cultivation in extreme climates with strong wind, rain and insufficient sunshine, making it an ideal choice for roof eaves and balconies. The plant’s flowers bloom from May to June and they bear a very pleasant scent. Its combination of small size, unique flower form and pleasant fragrance make it a sought-after roof top plant for gardeners around the world.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Offsets,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Deep lilac-blue purple with white crest Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Roof iris (Iris tectorum) appreciate water on a regular basis. They are typically watered every 7-10 days in the summer, or when the soil feels dry to the touch. If the air is particularly dry, you may need to water more frequently. It is also beneficial to mist the leaves every so often. During the winter months, water less frequently as the plant will not be as actively growing. Water only when the soil is close to drying out.

sunlight

Roof Iris (Iris tectorum) grows best when it receives between 6 and 10 hours of direct sunlight every day. This is a medium-light-loving plant that will thrive if given this amount of natural light, which is equivalent to roughly 15,000 to 30,000 lumens of illumination. If it receives any less than this, the Roof Iris will become lanky and weak and may even fail to flower altogether. Full sun should be given in the morning through mid-afternoon, and then some afternoon shade should be given to avoid sunburn in hot climates. While the Roof Iris will tolerate partial shade, it should still be given some direct sun for at least 4 to 6 hours per day. This will help to ensure its healthy growth and flowering.

pruning

Roof Iris is a deciduous plant, which means it should be pruned once its leaves have started to yellow and lose their colour before the winter season. Pruning your Roof Iris should generally take place in late summer or early autumn. When pruning, remove any dead, damaged or diseased foliage and stems. Additionally, shorten and thin out any overcrowded shoots, ideally to keep the stems at a few inches above the ground. Take care not to prune too severely as this can cause over stimulation of new shoot growth, which is not ideal in the cooler months. By taking these initial steps at pruning, this can help reduce the need for large pruning jobs in early spring. If your Roof Iris has grown too large, an extensive pruning can be done in spring. This will help to reduce the overall size of the plant and encourage strong, new growth. When pruning, make sure to prune each stem evenly and make sure not to cut too deeply as this can harm the plant. If necessary, also apply a balanced fertilizer before and after pruning. Overall, Roof Iris should be pruned once its foliage begins to yellow, typically late summer or early autumn. Prune by cutting back dead, damaged or diseased foliage and stems. You can also shorten and thin out any overcrowded shoots. If needed, a more extensive prune can be done in early spring. Always take care to prune evenly and to not overly cut any stems. Following these steps can help ensure a healthy Roof Iris.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Roof iris typically start flowering in April.

Hardiness Map