Iris hexagona Walter (Dixie Iris)

I.hexagona from Rainbow River Florida. Photo by Mark Cook.o
Direct scan of I. hexagona. (Click image for a larger view.)
Dircet scan as a herbarium sheet.

. Other photos by RAB.

Habitat: Wet areas in Southeast US.

Bloom: Late April in Zone 7/8

Description:

• Flowers: d10-12 cm, erect standards, typical is blue or blue purple
• Stem: h 30-90 cm, straight or zig-zaged, 2 flowers at apex, singlesin axils
• Leaves: h to 90 cm, w 2.5 cm
• Rhizome: w 2 cm or more, nearly bare, greenish
• Capsule/Seeds: l 4-6 cm, hexagonal, green at maturity /corky, "D"shaped seed
• 2n = 44
• Comments: Very similar to I. giganticerulea only smaller.

• Sun: Full sun (6 hr min.), afternoon shade if any.
• 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 before they dry.
• Comments: Generally easy. Will grow in "border garden" conditionswith additional water. Needs lots of room. Grows and blooms well for me.

Distribution of I. hexagona:

Green indicates the presence of I. hexagona within the state. Click here for Larger view.

Reports of I. hexagona in Texas and Louisiana are likely I. giganticerulea,consided by some to be a form of I. hexagona.

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Last modified 8/04.