PlantFiles: Stinking Gladwyn, Stinking Iris
Iris foetidissima

The stinky smell resembles, I think, garlic. It's not very prominent on my plant unless I actually bruise or break the leaves.

I found my plant in the alley, chucked out by one of the neighbors. Don't know how long it lay out there but it responded very fast to being stuck in the soil, and even flowered that year. That's a tough plant!

I only wish the flowers were more conspicuous, I guess I'll have to find a place for this one closer to the walkway. They're pretty flowers and interesting, if not showy.

It always worries me when the botanical name means the smelliest.

A rhizomatous, perennial Iris from South and West Europe and North Africa.

Has sword like, evergreen, dark green leaves which is the source of the botanical name and have an unpleasent smell when crushed. Bears purple heavily tinged with yellow flowers which while 2-3 inches long are rather insignificant. The real attractive part of this plant are the seeds, the pods split open to reveal bright orange, yellow or occasionally white seeds which remain in place for some months.

Flowers May-July

Likes well drained soil in a sunny position although its not all that fussy really. Easy to grow and has good Autumn colour with the seeds.