Iris x pseudata 'Shiryukyo' is a splendid cross of the Japanese Iris ensata and the European Iris pseudacorus. Starting for us in mid-May, the clumps are topped with a plethora of large, showy flowers, held atop 4.5' tall spikes. Each flower is a lovely medium purple, with a bright yellow eye zone, bordered with dark purple eye liner. Iris 'Shiryukyo' performs well both as a marginal aquatic, in a bog, or in regular garden soil that doesn't stay exceptionally dry. Maintenance: Iris x pseudata cultivars are deciduous and the foliage is not ornamental once browned by a hard frost so the foliage can be cut to the ground at this point. As the pseudata hybrids are sterile it is not necessary to remove spent flowers after their bloom season is over to prevent seeding, but the tidy gardener might want to dead head them to improve their appearance. Either cut the spent flower stalks down to the foliage, or remove the whole fan that bloomed, cutting it to the ground. Leave all of the fans that have not bloomed. The foliage remains attractive for the rest of the summer so normally needs no more maintenance until the final cut down after frost. The pseudata hybrids are clump formers, not runners, so might only need reigning in after many years of growth, if even then. These iris are only propagated by division and can be divided most any time of the year. Growing Conditions: The pseudata hybrids are sun lovers as are both of their parents. They will perform satisfactorily in average moisture soil but really thrive in damp soil including heavy wet clays. They can be a great addition to areas too wet for many other plants. Wet areas should be celebrated as they afford the gardener the chance to grow moisture loving plants which do not thrive in the average garden. These iris are also suited to the varied moisture levels of a rain garden. Garden Value: Iris x pseudata cultivars are very showy in bloom, rivaling the display of any other type of iris. As they are sterile, that is, they produced no seed, they will never present any risk of becoming a weed. This is in contrast to one of their parents, the European Yellow Water Iris, Iris pseudacorus, which is a serious invasive exotic in the U.S. where it often dominates native wetland areas. The Iris x pseudata hybrids are of fairly recent introduction. Hybridizing their two parents, the Japanese Iris (Iris ensata) and the European Yellow Water Iris (Iris pseudacorus) was thought to be impossible. The current cultivars are all of the most elegant simple form. Ones that associate comfortably with other garden flowers. Acquire them now when they are available because it is certain that breeders are actively working to create ruffled and doubled and overly large monstrosities. The foliage of some Iris x pseudata cultivars is bright yellow in new growth. This is a highly beautiful ornamental feature, adding color for months before the floral display. Natural Impact: Iris tend to be ignored by deer. It is likely that their dense clumps of foliage could provide over-wintering habitat for small creatures if the gardener is willing to leave the foliage until spring.
