Iris nelsonii Randolph (Abbeville red iris)
Habitat: Shady areas in standing water in bayous south of Abbeville,LA.
Bloom: Mid to late April in Zone 7/8
- Flowers: d12 cm, pendant (drooping), typical is purple-red,
- Stem: h 80-105 cm (shorter in cultivation?), 4-6 branches with
- Leaves: h 80-90 cm, w 2.5cm, drooping tips, pale green
- Rhizome: w 2-3 cm, bare, 10-15 cm annual growth
- Capsule/Seeds: w 2 cm, l 5 cm, green at maturity / corky,"D"
- 2n = 42
- Comments: Resembles a robust I. fulva. Is thought to be a stablehybrid
of I. fulva, I. giganticerulea and perhaps also I. brevicaulis (see"Other
- Sun: Usually grown in full sun to light shade. May do well in
deepershade in standing water as in its habitat..
- Soil type: Neutral to acid, lots of humus.
- Soil moisture: Moist to wet. Mulch to retain moisture and protectrhizomes
from sun burn.
- Feeding: Feed at onset of growth in spring and fall.
- Hardiness: ?
- Transplant: Easy in fall or spring after bloom.
- Seed germination: Plant seeds befor they dry.
- Comments: Generally easy. Will grow in "border garden" conditionswith
additional water. Grows and blooms well for me, if a bit small (possiblydue
to restricted water).