Japanese Roof Iris
Family
Iridaceae
Origin
China & Japan
Description
Iris Tectorum has been called roof iris, because it was traditionally planted in thatched roofs in China and Japan.
Japanese roof iris has wonderfully textured, light-green foliage emerging directly from the ground in dense clumps . It is closely related to the native crested iris. It grows 12 to 18 inches tall, producing deep lilac-blue purple with white crest in the spring. Foliage is arranged in fans of narrow, lance-shaped, ribbed, glossy, upright leaves that can become somewhat floppy. Flowers are displayed in a showy fashion within the clump of foliage.. The flower stems are perennials, and therefore do not need to be cut back once they flower.
Iris Tectorum plants produce delicate violet-blue flowers accompanied by sword-shaped foliage. They are robust and versatile, flowering from February to April in plains and from March to May in hilly regions. Planting is best done from October to November in both plains and hills.
Environment
Grow fortnight lilies in light, dappled shade to nearly full sun. Once established, fortnight lilies tolerate poor, dry soils, but do best in a well drained soil with regular watering during the growing season.
Iris reach optimum growth when protected from afternoon sun and planted in garden soil with good drainage.
It is very versatile and can be planted in various mediums from moderately dry soils to wetlands.Plants grow to 4 or 5 feet tall in standing water, making it ideal for water gardens and wet soil.They reach about 2 to 3 feet in soil.
Cut the spent blooms off of the spike to encourage rebloom on the same stalk.
Landscape Use
Great in pots as well as gardens, the Japanese Iris is also used around water and as a feature softening rock landscaping.
