Saturday, December 4, 2010

Stinking Gladwyn

Dry shaded areas are always difficult to fill with plants, but one that is very easy to grow in this situation is Iris foetidissima sometimes commonly known as Stinking Gladwyn or Stinking Gladwin. Spelling is different but the same plant.

It is pretty hardy, ours grow in the shade of conifers in soil that can get pretty dry. The stinking comes from the smell when the leaves are crushed emitting an unusual smell, some find it unpleasant, but we don't mind it.

The flowers are subtle, a greyish blue in colour. But the berries make up for the unprepossessing flowers with their striking colours.

Seeds of Iris foetidissima 

iris_foetida_seeds_4

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are worth having for that punch of colour in difficult places. Look out for the variegated leaved form.

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