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Moraea Peacock Iris

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The Moraea Peacock Iris (Moraea aristata) is a captivating, easy-to-grow gem that blooms from winter through early spring. Its elegant, slender stems are topped with large, pristine white flowers that feature vibrant, iridescent blue centres, resembling a peacock’s eye. This striking contrast of colours adds a unique allure to any garden. Thriving in well-drained, fertile soil with full sun to part shade, this versatile beauty is perfect for garden beds, borders, rockeries, and containers. Suitable for climates from cool to tropical, the Peacock Iris brings timeless elegance and charm to any setting. With minimal care, it can be left to naturalise in the ground for years, creating a lasting, ever-multiplying display, or grown beautifully in pots.

SKU: TCPEAIRI003 Category: Tags: , ,

Description

Introduction to Peacock Iris (Moraea aristata)

The Peacock Iris (Moraea aristata) is a striking geophyte from South Africa, critically endangered in the wild but cherished in gardens. With slender, mid-green leaves and large, white blooms featuring a vivid blue “eye” at the centre, it’s a stunning showpiece in the garden. Blooming from late winter to early spring, the Peacock Iris enters dormancy during the hot summer. Adaptable from cool to tropical climates, it thrives with a little extra care in tropical areas to support its summer dormancy.

Perfect for naturalising in garden beds, rockeries, and containers, it thrives in full sun to part shade and well-draining soil. Once established, it requires minimal care, bringing elegance to winter gardens.

Benefits of Peacock Iris

  • Low Maintenance: Easy to care for, needing minimal attention. Its summer dormancy means it thrives with little intervention aside from keeping the soil moist during its active growing period.
  • Winter and Spring Blooms: Provides vibrant colour when other plants are dormant.
  • Naturalising: Can be left in the ground undisturbed for years to naturalise, multiplying over time for a lasting display.

Garden Uses

  • Rockeries: Adds interest to rock gardens with well-draining soil.
  • Pots and Containers: Ideal for patios and balconies; requires pots at least 20–25 cm deep with drainage.
  • Garden Beds and Borders: Works as a border plant, adding structure and a focal point.
  • Naturalising: Perfect in sunny, well-drained spots for a dense, low-maintenance display.

Ideal Planting Time for Peacock Iris

Plant from March onwards, ensuring bulbs are in the ground by late autumn for optimal growth. This timing supports root establishment before dormancy, giving Peacock Iris the best chance to flourish with vibrant blooms.

Select a sunny or partially shaded spot with well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging. During its active growing period, water moderately to maintain light soil moisture, reducing as dormancy begins. Once established, Peacock irises require minimal care and will naturalise, adding winter colour to your garden with little effort.

Planting Tips

  • Depth: Plant bulbs 5–7 cm deep.
  • Spacing: Space bulbs 10–15 cm apart.
  • Watering: Water to establish; reduce during dormancy.

Handling Peacock Iris on Arrival

Inspect bulbs for firmness and a dry, papery coating. Store in a cool, dry place if planting is delayed. If planting immediately, enrich the soil, position bulbs 5–7 cm deep, and water well. For late planting, water to help bulbs establish roots before dormancy. Using pots offers more control over conditions.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

  1. Location: Select sunny, well-drained spots in beds, borders, or pots.
  2. Soil: Use well-drained, fertile soil with compost for beds. For pots, use a high-quality potting mix designed for bulbs, adding sand or grit for drainage.
  3. Planting Depth: Place bulbs 5-10 cm deep, spaced 5–10 cm apart.
  4. Watering: Water thoroughly after planting; keep the soil moist during the growing season.
  5. Mulching: Apply mulch to regulate temperature and moisture.
  6. Fertilising: Use a complete garden fertiliser when shoots start to appear.
  7. Dormancy Care: Allow foliage to die back naturally as dormancy begins. Repot Peacock Iris with fresh soil annually.

Division Guide

Divide every 3–5 years or when flowering declines. In cool and dry climates, replant divided bulbs immediately. In subtropical or tropical regions, lift and store bulbs in a cool, dry place until autumn.

Common Pests and Diseases

  1. Aphids: Treat with soapy water.
  2. Snails and Slugs: Use copper tape or natural barriers.
  3. Bulb Rot: Avoid waterlogged soil to prevent rot.

Safety Note

The Peacock Iris can be harmful if eaten. Keep it out of reach of pets and children, and consider wearing gloves if you have sensitive skin when handling the plant. In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical or veterinary advice immediately.

CAUTION: Harmful if eaten.

Supplied as dormant bulbs.

Quarantine Note: Due to quarantine restrictions, Peacock Iris bulbs cannot be sent to Tasmania.

 

Additional information

Price Code

B – Aqua Pack
Botanical Name

Moraea aristata
Quantity in Pack

3 Bulbs
Flowering Time

Late Winter, Early Spring
Planting Time

Plant from March onwards
Growing Height

25-35 cm
Planting Depth

5-10 cm
Soil

Garden Beds: Use well-drained, fertile soil, as Peacock Iris does not tolerate waterlogged conditions. Enrich the soil with plenty of compost or well-broken-down manure to boost nutrient content and drainage. In heavier soils, incorporate grit or sand to further improve drainage before planting.

Pots and Containers: Choose a high-quality potting mix designed for bulbs or plants that require excellent drainage. For added drainage support, mix in sand or grit, which helps maintain ideal soil conditions for Peacock Iris growth.

Note: In pots, Peacock Iris corms may sink deeper over time, so refreshing the soil once the foliage has died back helps maintain healthy blooms.
How to Plant

Before planting Peacock Iris bulbs, mix compost thoroughly into the soil to enrich it.

Garden Beds: Plant bulbs 5–10 cm deep with the pointed end facing upward, spacing them 5–10 cm apart to allow naturalising over time.

Pots and Containers: Use a well-draining potting mix enriched with compost or well-rotted manure. Plant bulbs 5–10 cm deep, spacing them closer together (5–7 cm) in containers at least 20–25 cm deep with good drainage.

After planting, water thoroughly to settle the soil, and keep it lightly moist throughout the growing season (winter to spring). Once foliage begins to die back in late spring, reduce watering to allow summer dormancy.
Watering

Initial Watering: Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the bulbs into the soil, ensuring the area drains well to avoid soggy conditions.

Ongoing Watering: During the active growing season (winter to spring), keep the soil lightly moist. Continue with light, regular watering to support growth, but avoid overwatering. Once the foliage begins to die down in late spring, gradually reduce and then stop watering entirely to allow the bulbs to enter dormancy.
Fertilise

Apply a complete garden fertiliser or a slow-release bulb fertiliser when shoots begin to appear in early winter. This provides a nutrient boost to support healthy growth throughout the season.
Pruning

After the Peacock Iris finishes blooming, remove spent flower stems to tidy up the plant’s appearance. Allow the foliage to turn yellow and die back naturally, as this process helps the bulbs store energy for the next season’s growth. In regions with wet summers, it’s best to lift the bulbs once the foliage has fully died down to prevent rot. Store them in a dry, airy place and replant in autumn. In dry climates, bulbs can remain undisturbed in the ground for years, where they will naturalise and multiply, providing more blooms each season with minimal care.

Peacock Iris can naturalise and multiply over time, meaning you may not need to divide the bulbs frequently. However, dividing helps maintain healthy growth and ensures vibrant flowering if the clumps become overcrowded.

Peacock Iris can be left in the ground undisturbed for years to naturalise and multiply, so division is only needed if clumps become overcrowded. To maintain healthy growth and vibrant blooms, divide the bulbs every 3–5 years or when flowering becomes sparse. The best time to divide is in summer, once the foliage has fully died back. Carefully lift the bulbs, separate healthy corms, and replant them immediately in cool, temperate, Mediterranean, semi-arid, and arid climates, where dry summers support natural re-establishment. In regions with wet summers, store divided bulbs in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area until autumn, using breathable bags to prevent moisture buildup and protect them from humidity.
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