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Family: Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Iris (EYE-ris) (Info) Cultivar: Indian Chief Hybridized by Ayres; Year of Registration or Introduction: 1929
Height: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm) 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
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: Rose/Mauve Red
Bloom Time: Early midseason (EM)
Foliage: Herbaceous
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
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
On Jun 2, 2012, Bhamster from Bellingham, WA wrote:
We have lots of these in our yard. They came with the place, so I figured it must be an older iris. I'm glad to know its name. It is a prolific beauty that makes a lovely complement for other colors.
On May 19, 2012, Irissimo from London/Kent United Kingdom wrote:
Easily the tallest Iris in my iris bed . I love the smokey purple standards on deeper purple falls, born on strong stems that do not bend in the heavy wind and rain.
I see this Iris everywhere .Most of the houses around here were built prewar circa 1935 and so, they are from the original rhizomes - according to the now very elderly inhabitants .
Every time I see a front garden being paved over to accommodate cars I rescue them !
Planted 2 or 3 rhizomes last year in the subsoil clay of the area, with some organic material added to help loosen the soil, and doing fine, new shoots already and many blossoms...a great grower!
On Aug 28, 2011, themikesmom from Concord, NC wrote:
Indian Chief, Ayers, 1929 TB 35" EM Bloomer: is an often seen non-identifiable iris (noid) at many historic farm and victorian garden properties east of the mississippi river. This Beautiful unique Maroon red and Purple-pink Bi-tone Classic is a super hardy spreader and reproducer that 'thrives in neglect'. It is a one of a kind unique red beauty that everyone that loves tb iris, and not just historics and reds, should have in their garden. Sandra
A strong, reliable grower. Very nice lavender uprights over darker purple falls with a golden beard. A bout with the iris borer greatly reduced my patch, but after cleaning the rhizomes they are coming back nicely this year.
On May 10, 2011, SissieJeep from Roanoke, VA wrote:
I dug mine up from my grandmother's house when she passed and they are now going wild! They bloomed last year from mid-April up until Thanksgiving weekend when the first deep snow got them!
On Nov 11, 2008, hespiris from Kingston, NY (Zone 5b) wrote:
Indian Chief is an aggressive grower that makes a great clump in just 2-3 years. The colors are great in light shade, as with any 'red'. While it is a beautiful bloom in its own right ~ it is particularly photographic. The detail of the veining is better seen by the camera than the eye.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Magnet Cove, Arkansas Fremont, California Lawrenceville, Georgia Madrid, Iowa Wichita, Kansas Durham, Maine Gardiner, Maine Halfway, Maryland Brewster, Massachusetts Deer River, Minnesota Robertsville, Missouri Shepherd, Montana Auburn, New Hampshire Leisuretowne, New Jersey Roswell, New Mexico Beacon, New York Cayuga Heights, New York East Kingston, New York Elba, New York Lake Placid, New York Rocky Point, New York Concord, North Carolina Granite Falls, North Carolina Riverside, Ohio Bixby, Oklahoma Gold Hill, Oregon Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania Celina, Tennessee Middle Valley, Tennessee Lampasas, Texas Galax, Virginia Portsmouth, Virginia Roanoke, Virginia Bellingham, Washington
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