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Iris versicolor 'Candystriper'

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Family: Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus: Iris (EYE-ris) (Info)
Species: versicolor (VER-suh-kuh-lor) (Info)
Cultivar: Candystriper

» View all varieties of Iris

Class:
Species

Height:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 2b: to -42.7 °C (-45 °F)
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade

Danger:
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color:
Violet/Lavender
White/Near White

Bloom Time:
Midseason (M)

Foliage:
Herbaceous
Blue-Green

Other details:
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens
This plant is resistant to deer

Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information:
Unknown - Tell us

Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)

Seed Collecting:
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed

Awards (if applicable):
Honorable Mention
Award of Merit
Founders of SIGNA Medal (SPEC)

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By laurief

By laurief

By flowerfrenzy

By Mainer

Profile:

2 positives
1 neutral
No negatives

Gardeners' Notes:

Rating	Author	Comment
Positive	Mainer	On Jan 27, 2009, Mainer from Durham, ME (Zone 3a) wrote: Hardy in my zone and multiplies fast and has a long bloom time. Unusual coloring too.
Neutral	Joan	On Aug 13, 2007, Joan from Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) wrote: Awards: Honorable Mention 1994; Award of Merit 1996; Founders of Signa Medal 2002
Positive	laurief	On Oct 23, 2005, laurief from Deer River, MN (Zone 3b) wrote: Most beardless irises can handle my climate and growing conditions. This northern MN zone 3b climate inflicts severe, extended cold during the winter months, often with little snow cover for insulation. The summer growing season is short with temps that sometimes exceed 90 degrees F. My soil is very heavy, compacted clay with a slightly acid pH, though I grow my irises in well-amended, raised beds or windrows with improved friability and drainage. A large local deer population frequently tramples and sometimes grazes on my irises in early spring and late fall. Iris borers are present but managed successfully with a granular systemic grub control product. Weeds are abundant and only occasionally beaten back by an admittedly lazy gardener (yours truly). Fertilization is inconsistent, when provided at all. The beardless irises reside in full sun beds which are mulched with pine needles. Versicolors are particularly well suited to my growing conditions, and CANDYSTRIPER is no exception. Once established, this iris grows quickly into a large clump which blooms reliably with an abundance of delicate, lovely flowers. I highly recommend this cultivar. Laurie