Iris x robusta 'Gerald Darby' (Iris 'Gerald Darby')

Botanical name

Iris x robusta 'Gerald Darby'

Other names

Iris 'Gerald Darby', Iris laevigata 'Gerald Darby', Iris versicolor 'Gerald Darby'

Genus

Iris Iris

Variety or Cultivar

'Gerald Darby' _ 'Gerald Darby' has clump-forming, rhizomatous, deciduous perennial with arching, strap-shaped, grey-green leaves and purple-flushed stems bearing veined, yellow- and white-marked, violet-purple flowers in spring.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Erect

Toxicity

Ingestion may cause severe discomfort.

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Colour

Flower

Veined, Purple, Flushed yellow, Flushed white in Spring

Foliage

Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Slugs , Snails

Specific diseases

Grey mould , Iris rhizome rot

General care

Pruning

Remove faded flowers stems. Remove dead or dying leaves as needed.

Propagation methods

Division

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Iris x robusta 'Gerald Darby' (Iris 'Gerald Darby') will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.75m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Waterside

Cultivation

Plant in moist to wet, deep, humus-rich, acid soil in full sun or partial shade. Thrives at the margins of ponds or streams.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Boggy damp conditions

Soil pH

Acid

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

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

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Iris x robusta 'Gerald Darby' (Iris 'Gerald Darby')

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 x robusta 'Gerald Darby' (Iris 'Gerald Darby')

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/