Iris confusa – Blue (Bamboo Iris)

This is a truly lovely plant from Western China and a member of the family of Iridaceae, though it is remarkably unlike the run-of-the-mill varieties. It is vigorous in growth, with spreading rhizomes that over three or four years mean that the clump can grow to 1.5m in height and breadth. The broad, flat fans of green and glossy iris leaves are held on slender arching stems that are banded like bamboos – hence the common name.

Branched stalks emerge from late spring into early summer, carrying perfect little iris flowers which can be white or pale blue, with golden crests and purple dots. The flowers are 4 or 5cm across and although each bloom only lasts for one day, with up to 30 flowers on a stem, there are many more to take its place.

Plant Iris confusa in well drained but fertile, loamy or sandy soils in sunny or lightly shaded positions. They are a plant for mild gardens and look at their best when planted in spots that are sheltered from the wind. There is some evidence that the flower stalks emerge from the previous year's fans so don’t be too rigorous with the spring clean-up.

These are graceful plants for sun or shade, for jungly or woodland positions for mixed borders or in pots. I have never forgotten a video of massed planting of Iris confusa under cherry trees and on that breezy spring day they swayed beautifully and in unison. Equally, while not all of us are the proud owners of a dry-stone wall I remember too, a photograph where each stem of Iris confusa emerged between the layers and then turned vertically through 90 degrees so the leaves and the flowers were at head height and they were just beautiful.