Species bamboo iris
Light-Violet flower with brown-white center, green stems, green petiole and buds

bamboo iris

Iris wattii

Bamboo Iris (Iris wattii) is an elegant and colourful plant that adds beauty to any garden. It is an evergreen species native to the Himalayas and parts of East Asia, where it grows in dense clumps. The stems of these irises are slender and wire-like, resembling those of bamboo, giving the plant its name. Its stunning flowers range in colour from deep yellow and bronzy-orange to vivid purple and red, and appear abundantly during the spring and summer. To keep these plants blooming every year, it is important to provide them with moisture-rich soils, adequate sunlight, and regular pruning.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

8 - 10

Flowers:

Lavender blue with white crests spotted orange Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Bamboo iris (Iris wattii) requires an average amount of water for optimal growth and to keep looking attractive. It should be watered slightly but regularly, allowing the soil to become slightly dry between each watering. For seasonal climates with normal rainfall, a deep watering (about 1 inch) about once a week is sufficient. In hotter climates with less rainfall, it may need more frequent watering, or watering twice a week. Be careful, however, not to overwater, which can cause the plant to rot. Make sure the soil drains well and never let water collect in the pot or root rot will occur.

sunlight

Bamboo Iris plants (Iris wattii) require full sun to thrive and bloom in areas of high light intensity. The plants need around 4 hours of direct sunlight each day, preferably in the morning or early afternoon. This is especially important during the summer months, as the plant is not tolerant to high temperatures and humid conditions. Bamboo Iris will do best if given indirect or filtered sunlight in the hottest and most humid parts of the day. It is also important to provide protection from direct wind and rain.

pruning

Bamboo iris (Iris wattii) should be lightly pruned in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Pruning should include cutting back any canes that have died back, as well as removing any canes that are growing in an undesirable direction. When pruning, remove no more than 1-third of the cane’s height. By thinning out the canes, this will help to keep the plant looking tidy and encourage new, healthy growth. After the pruning is complete, it’s important to apply a balanced fertilizer to the soil to replenish any nutrients that were lost from the pruning.

Season

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

Iris wattii typically starts flowering in late April or early May.

Hardiness Map