Porcelain Maiden Japanese Evergreen Iris – 2 Gallon Pot

Other Names: Fringed Iris, Shaga, Butterfly Flower

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‘Porcelain Maiden‘ is a selection in Eric Hammond collection of Iris japonica, commonly known as Japanese Evergreen Iris or Fringed Iris. As with all Iris japonica, this one is very vigorous, spreading to form a patch of sword-like arching green leaves that expands by at least a foot in width each year. In spring, 2 foot tall stems rising above the foliage display beautiful, soft orchid-white flowers with lavender and yellow markings on every other petal. This one prefers shade to part shade so is excellent as a border in woodland gardens or along paths. Can also be grown in pots and planters for situating on patios, decks, porches or other outdoors living spaces where the flowers can be enjoyed from close up.

Suggested Spacing: 3 to 4 feet apart for massed borders or groupings

Iris japonica are easy to grow in a moist but well-drained soil of average or better fertility and part shade to shade. We suggest filtered sun or shade during the afternoon hours or all-day filtered sun. For best performance, Iris japonica prefers a loamy, acidic soil rich in organic matter. The soil in the planting area should be turned to a depth of 10 to 12 inches and amended at with at least 25 percent organic matter, such as home made compost, composted cow manure or mushroom compost, to 75 percent native soil. The ideal pH range of your soil should be 5.5 to 7.8. After planting in garden beds, provide enough water to maintain a consistently moist soil. In the absence of adequate rainfall, a very deep watering once or twice a week is better that splashing just a little water every day. In early summer, after flowering, the spent flower stems can be removed, which cleans up the plant and invigorates plants by conserving energy that would otherwise be spent producing seeds.

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