Iris 'Mother Earth' (Iris 'Mother Earth')

Botanical name

Iris 'Mother Earth'

Other names

Iris 'Mother Earth', Bearded iris 'Mother Earth', Tall bearded iris 'Mother Earth', Reblooming bearded iris 'Mother Earth', German reblooming iris 'Mother Earth'

Genus

Iris Iris

Variety or Cultivar

'Mother Earth' _ 'Mother Earth' is a clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial with upright, strap-like, blue-green leaves and flowers with pale pink standards above lilac falls and orange beards blooming in spring and again from late summer to mid-autumn.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Erect

Toxicity

Ingestion may cause severe discomfort.

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Colour

Flower

Orange, Lilac, Pale-pink in Spring; Pale-pink, Orange, Lilac in Summer; Lilac, Pale-pink, Orange in Autumn

Foliage

Blue-green in Spring; Blue-green in Summer; Blue-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Slugs , Snails , Thrips

Specific diseases

Grey mould , Iris rhizome rot

General care

Pruning

Cut down spent flower stems. Remove dead foliage in autumn.

Propagation methods

Division

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Iris 'Mother Earth' (Iris 'Mother Earth') will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Roof terrace, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Will perform best in full sun in well-drained, neutral or slightly acidic loam. Divide and replant every three years.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Iris 'Mother Earth' (Iris 'Mother Earth')

Common pest name

Red rice root aphid; Rice root aphid

Scientific pest name

Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominalis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Potentially significant glasshouse pest; growers should monitor for its presence. Routine aphid control should be effective in mitigating risk.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Iris 'Mother Earth' (Iris 'Mother Earth')

Common pest name

common blossom thrips; cotton bud thrips; tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Frankliniella schultzei

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous glasshouse pest; present in many countries; single finding in UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/