Iris sanguinea

Germination

Sow indoors Mar-Sep. Sow outside/ under glass Sep-Mar. Soak seeds in hot water (not boiling) for 24 hours prior to sowing. Indoors, place seeds and some damp kitchen roll into a small plastic bag. Place in the fridge at 4°C. for 2-3 months. Check seeds regularly as germination can occur while in the fridge. Move to 5-12°C. for germination. Transplant seedlings into 8cm pots as soon as they germinate. To sow outside, soak seeds, then sow 6mm deep into moist well-drained seed compost. Place in a sheltered part of the garden or cold frame/ greenhouse. Allow natural winter cold to offer ideal conditions for germination to occur. Germination takes 30-180 days, do not discard the seed pots prematurely. Grow seedlings on in a cool place. Plant out after hardening off.

Growing

Prefers a well-drained, neutral to acid, loam-based soil in full or partial sun.

Cultivation

Propagate via division from midsummer to early autumn, plant immediately in flowering positions. Remove any dying foliage in autumn.