'Black Gamecock' Louisiana Iris
Perennial
- Deep purple and near-black flowers bloom in late spring and early summer.
- Known for its "outrageous vigor."
- Native perennial that multiplies quickly in moist soils.
- Deer and rabbit resistant, pollinator-friendly, and easy to grow.
- Zones 4-10, sun to part sun, 3' tall and 2' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
The name " Louisiana iris " is a broad term for interspecific hybrid irises native to bayous, marshes, damp hillsides, swamps, and riverbanks of the Southern US. They grow best in moist soils, even in boggy or wet sites. As native perennials, they're low maintenance, deer and rabbit resistant, pollinator-friendly, and quick to multiply in the garden. Grow them in rain gardens, containers, or alongside water features for the best performance.
Details
Common name: Louisiana Iris
Zone: 4 - 10
Sun exposure: Sun (6+ hours sunlight) to part sun (4-6 hours sunlight)
Height x width: 24-36"x 24"
Flower color: Dark purple and black
Foliage color: Green
Bloom season: Late spring to midsummer
Features: Rabbit resistant, heat tolerant, cold tolerant, drought tolerant, wet soils
Uses: Accent, background, border, cottage garden, foundation planting, massing, naturalizing, rain garden, specimen
How to Grow
Light: Full sun to part sun. In hot, southern zones, best to give them afternoon shade.
Water: They prefer lots of water, and even grow well in wet or boggy sites.
Spacing: 18"- 24"
Fertilizing: Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 and again after bloom season to encourage growth for next year.
Maintenance and pruning: Remove spent blooms. Divide plants every four years if you see a reduction in flowering performance. Cut back Louisiana iris foliage only after it turns brown and withers in late fall. Then, cutting off all leaves an inch or two above ground level is recommended.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.