General Culture:
Best grown in moist, humusy, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Established plants tolerate dry conditions. Best in sunny locations, but this species is more shade-tolerant than many other species of iris. Divide in late summer as needed.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Iris pallada is commonly known as Dalmatian iris because it is native to Dalmatia, a province of Croatia. It is also native to the southern Alps. It is a rhizomatous bearded iris that features sword-shaped, gray-green leaves (to 24” long) and sweetly fragrant, pale lavender-blue flowers with yellow beards. Flowers (3-5” across) appear in late spring to early summer atop sparsely-branched scapes rising to 40” tall. Spathes are white and papery. The species is sometime cultivated as a source of orris (from the rhizomes), which is used in perfumes and breath fresheners. Also commonly known as sweet iris, orris or orris root. ‘Variegata’ is synonymous with ‘Aurea Variegata’ and features gray-green leaves variegated with stripes of creamy yellow.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to iris borer.
Uses:
Good iris for partial shade locations. Borders, open woodland gardens, shade gardens.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
More photos:
(2 ratings) --- 
