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Family: Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Iris (EYE-ris) (Info) Cultivar: Eleanor Roosevelt Hybridized by Sass-McDade; Year of Registration or Introduction: 1933
Spacing: 12-15 in. (30-38 cm) 15-18 in. (38-45 cm) 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness: 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)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Danger: Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Early (E)
Foliage: Herbaceous Blue-Green Smooth-Textured
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater Flowers are good for cutting
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: Non-patented
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
On May 17, 2009, straea from Somerville, MA (Zone 6b) wrote:
This is my first bearded iris to bloom this year, blooming now after a cool spring. It looks lovely near the front of my border. I have it planted with 'Gracchus,' another historic shortish bearded iris. ('Gracchus' has several buds but hasn't bloomed yet.)
I have seven heirloom bearded irises in total and they have withstood impressively harsh conditions, planted on a slope in nearly all-day sun with a searing wind and a tendency for the soil to dry out within a day even after summer storms. They have done beautifully. 'Eleanor's neighbor 'Gracchus' has even bounced back from a borer infestation with almost no interference on my part and is looking healthier than ever. There's a reason these irises are still being grown over 100+ years - if you want irises that succeed with little maintenance, plant some heirlooms!
On Dec 20, 2008, DebinSC from Summerville, SC (Zone 8a) wrote:
This Iris usually begins blooming in my garden in early Feb. (zone 8). It has bloomed as early as New Years. It reblooms intermittently at best, but seems to do so more often if it has afternoon shade.
On May 11, 2004, Toxicodendron from Piedmont, MO (Zone 6a) wrote:
'Eleanor Roosevelt' is one of the earliest of my irises to bloom in spring. It is a dwarf variety, reaching about 14 inches or so. It reblooms in the fall if we don't have an early freeze that ruins the buds. It does not bloom continuously all summer, in case you were wondering.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
, Searcy, Arkansas Auberry, California North Fork, California Denver, Colorado Meansville, Georgia Cedar Rapids, Iowa Durham, Maine Billerica, Massachusetts Brewster, Massachusetts Somerville, Massachusetts Piedmont, Missouri Robertsville, Missouri Harlowton, Montana Auburn, New Hampshire Browns Mills, New Jersey Albuquerque, New Mexico Roswell, New Mexico Thackerville, Oklahoma Portland, Oregon Summerville, South Carolina Greeneville, Tennessee Chillicothe, Texas Houston, Texas Midland, Texas Round Rock, Texas (2 reports) Lake Monticello, Virginia
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