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8.5.12

Black Iris Flower

I've written before about this unknown iris that I grow in my garden. It was a mislabeled perennial in a box from Menards a few years ago. I've also shared pictures of it in the past, but I couldn't resist sharing this picture of my "black" iris flowering this spring. Just look at this Gothic-looking beauty for yourself.

Black Iris Flower, Gothic blooms and flowers


If I recall correctly, the bloom was suppose to be brown, but what unfurled  instead a year later after planting the rhizome was this dark purple bloom. In some lights-in particular when backlit- it really looks more purple, but when the weather is cool, rainy, and cloudy I'm presented with the black iris you see in the picture.

To give you an idea of the color variation you can compare it to the original post "Black iris-A Garden Surprise" from 2007 and what the blooms looked like in 2009 when I wrote the post on how to plant iris rhizomes in your garden.

What started as two small pieces of rhizomes has grown over the years into several nice iris clumps and my favorite bloom in every spring in the garden. Heck, my favorite perennial I have ever planted in my garden. I can't believe I was once disappointed that the flower didn't turn out to be brown.

Have you fallen in love with a garden "mistake" before? Do you have any black irises planted in your garden?

15 comments:

  1. Fantastic flower! I love black flowers.

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  2. Now that is black. Love it. You got an amazing photo of it too with the water drops!

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  3. Have never seen any flower like that - so exotic, gothic and trendy. Its truly a prized bloom.

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  4. So pretty, MBT! Great photo with the rain sparkling on it.

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  5. Nice! I have 'Black Gamecock' Louisiana Iris, but never tried to photograph it. It should be in bloom soon.

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  6. The one you gave me is still alive, but hasn't bloomed yet. No bloom this year either, but I just know one year it will burst forth with a gorgeous bloom like this one! I don't think the one you gave me came from the source you talk about in this post though. Or maybe I'm mistaken? It doesn't matter, but I can't wait to see it bloom! Thanks again for sharing, MBT.

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  7. DeAnna Michelle12:26 PM

    Have you been saving the seeds? If SEAUX I would love to have some; these would simply mix well with my white's!) I will purchase & provide shipping, as well!

    Additionally, your photos turned out gorgeously!

    In awe,

    DeAnna Michelle
    Shreveport, La

    deanna_michelle_muecke@yahoo.com

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  8. Beautiful flower!

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  9. I love it! I want it! I'll probably never find it!

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  10. Garden Girl - I agree with you, the photo itself is fantastic. What a stunning flower. It's funny, it's almost a shock for me to see a black flower!

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  11. The raindroplets picked up those deep purple notes and make this iris incredibly stunning.

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  12. Krystal2:08 PM

    Though I have no idea if yours is the same as this, you might be interested to know that the black iris is Jordan's national flower, endemic to the region. The Field Guide to Jordan has great info on it, including distinguishing it from the apparently closely related Petra iris.

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  13. Anonymous2:23 PM

    your black Iris is called Lady of the Night..I have "black" bearded variety called "Superstition"...caution, bleeding from flowers will stain fabric so if you bring them indoors, put a plate under the vase. I have a linen tablecloth that belonged to my grandma with just such markings, but I also got some rhizomes from her gorgeous Iris culprits....I have some 30 different varieties that I'd love to trade and share as I thin mine in fall. Also looking for a variety that Iris borers took from me that was great aunt's from 1970s...soft pink, ruffled standards and falls, pale yellow beards...called Party Dress, Party Doll...something like that...can't find it anywhere....

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  14. Have you tried iris chyrsographes? It's about seven inches tall, and the black flowers have a kind of gold tracing over them. Beautiful.

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  15. I have the Black Iris, "Superstition". It grows right next to a pure white one, surrounded by the most wonderful fragrant yellow ones. They stand about 36 inches high and have very strong stems. Congratulations on yours.

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