Japanese Roof Iris Iris Tectorum

It is grown on thatch roofs in japan hence its most common vernacular name.

Japanese roof iris iris tectorum. It is a rhizomatous perennial. Foliage is arranged in fans of narrow lance shaped ribbed glossy upright leaves that can become somewhat floppy. There is a white form as well. The roof iris is native to china but was first discovered in the 1860s growing in japan on the roofs hence the common name.

Browse pictures and read growth cultivation information about japanese root iris roof iris wall iris iris tectorum variegata supplied by member gardeners in the plantfiles database at dave. It is native of china korea and burma with lavender blue bluish violet purple blue blue lilac or sky blue flowers. It is hardy to zone uk 6. Roof iris or root iris.

One of my favorite species is japanese roof iris iris tectorum. One to two tablespoons complete fertilizer 10 10 10 before blooming. It is in leaf all year in flower from may to june. Iris tectorum or japanese roof iris is a large flowering evansia iris crested iris that grows well in a humus rich damp position.

Rich moist well drained and slightly acid. Other legends indicate it was used to ward off evil spirits. The leaves are 15 inches tall fanned at the base and ribbed. It grows about a foot tall with a spreading rhizomatous habit common to most irises.

Noteworthy characteristics iris tectorum is a 15 tall species of the crested iris group featuring large 6 across beardless bright lilac purple flowers with falls which are crested white. The name japanese roof iris comes from the tradition of this iris being grown on the damp thatched roofs of japanese cottages to help hold the thatch together. Can spread rapidly in the garden. Japanese roof iris responds well to fertilization during the growing season.

It is drought tolerant once established but maintains its best appearance with consistent moisture. Spring fertilization and heavy mulch in spring and fall. Or is it a wall iris. Though the bloom is large at 6 inches the standards are shortened and tubular and the falls widespread.

Iris tectorum also known as roof iris japanese roof iris and wall iris is a plant species in the genus iris it is also in the subgenus limniris. Or perhaps it was for purely pragmatic reasons to help hold the thatch together. Japanese roof iris are an example of the great diversity of exotic iris species coming into the nursery industry with varied colors and flower formations. Also known as japanese roof iris iris tectorumprefers part sun to sun with some afternoon protection and moist to average well drained soil.

With purple white pink and blue flowering roof iris cultivars for sale online. Some sources suggest that when space became too precious for anything but food crops japanese women who used the powdered rhizomes as a face powder began growing iris tectorum on their thatch roofs.