Iris 'Superstition'
tall bearded iris
Garden hybrid; bearded iris species from Europe and the Mediterranean
Overview
Iris 'Superstition' is a tall bearded iris, a rhizomatous perennial reaching 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) in bloom and forming clumps 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. In late spring it bears flowers of deep blackish-purple, with falls and standards of near-equal color depth and beards tipped bluish-black to bronze. Each flower stem carries seven to nine buds that open in succession over two to three weeks. The sword-shaped, gray-green leaves stand upright in a flat fan to 18-24 inches (45-60 cm), persisting through summer before partly dying back. Plants grow from thick surface rhizomes that increase outward each year and become congested after three to four seasons, which reduces flowering until the clump is divided. The flowers carry a light fragrance. Wet, poorly drained soil and rhizomes buried too deeply lead to bacterial soft rot, a frequent problem with bearded irises. Foliage may develop fungal leaf spot in humid summers.
Native Range
Iris 'Superstition' is a hybrid tall bearded iris with no wild range. Tall bearded irises derive from species in the Iris spp. genus native to central and southern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean.Suggested Uses
Used in perennial borders, cottage gardens, and massed iris plantings for late-spring color. Suited to sunny, well-drained beds and to the middle or back of mixed borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2'6" - 3'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'
Bloom Information
Blooms in late spring, typically May, with each stem opening seven to nine buds over two to three weeks. Reblooming does not occur, so flowering is limited to a single late-spring flush. Flowering declines when clumps become overcrowded.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Iris 'Superstition' grows in full sun in well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Rhizomes are set at or just below the surface, with their tops exposed in heavy soils to limit rot. It tolerates soil pH from about 6.5 to 7.5 and withstands drought once established. Shade and damp, rich soil reduce flowering and raise rot risk. Clumps are lifted and divided every three to four years in mid to late summer, each division keeping a fan of leaves and a section of healthy rhizome. Leaves are trimmed to a fan about 6 inches (15 cm) tall when transplanting.Pruning
Spent flower stems are cut at the base after bloom to limit seed formation. Dead or spotted leaves are removed through the season, and foliage is trimmed to a low fan when dividing in summer. Healthy leaves are left in place into autumn while they feed the rhizome.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing