Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Walking Iris - Neomarica

This is a wonderful plant. I don't even remember where I got it, I've had it for years and years. It might have come from the local flea market where I bought plants many years ago. There is a blue one that I'd love to have, but haven't seen it yet. I'll see if any of the gardeners have it in the FL forum I visit.

Here is info I found this morning to do this post.


"As a member of the Iris family from Brazil, there are approximately 15 species of Neomarica found throughout the tropical Americas. The genus name "neomarica" means new 'marica'. Plants in the genus were previously called Marica from the name of a nymph. The Latin word ‘neo’ (new) was added when it was discovered that Marica had already been used to define another genus—Cipura.


The Neomarica is commonly called Walking Iris because the flowering stalks take root after bending over and making contact with the ground. Thus, the iris appears to "walk" as it fills the garden with graceful foliage and flowers. The walking iris is also called the Apostle plant from the belief that a Neomarica will not bloom until the plant has 12 leaves.


The walking iris is produced from rhizomes and forms vigorous clumps of foliage and spring-flowering blooms reaching up to 3 feet or more. The unusual, yet attractive, flowers of walking iris appear to grow out of its sword-like, gray-green leaves. In actuality, the stem bearing the flowers is fanned out, resembling the leaves. These are followed by small plants (or offsets) that make aerial roots, which establish themselves quite easily. The flowers of walking iris also open only for a day and then take a short rest to open again several days later. This rest and bloom cycle goes on for 4-6 weeks."


For more information on click this iris click on Walking Iris

I just took this picture a few minutes ago to show you the leaves. The flower stalk bends over, and when it touches the ground starts rooting. This plant is in a pot with Desert Cassia, and yellow million bells. Behind it in the terra cotta pot is Jewels of Opar.




This is a close-up of the flower, which is a couple of inches across at the most.



Hope you are all enjoying the beginning of your summer. It is hot and steamy here once again. I mowed earlier and it's miserable out. There's more outdoor work to do, but that will have to be for another morning.

It looks like we're going to get some more rain. Afternoon T-storms are our normal summer weather pattern. I'm sure glad our drought is over.

Have a nice afternoon whatever you are doing, wherever you are.









9 comments:

Marissa's Blog said...

Wow, how interesting! I've never heard of a walking Iris! The blooms are stunning...thank you for sharing, I will have to look in to getting one :)

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

This was really interesting. They are such pretty little flowers. Thanks for sharing :)

Dirt Princess said...

hmmmmmm.....mine is white/purple...I have not seen a yellow one. Very nice

Unknown said...

I have the blue one and I did a post about why it doesn't bloom without 12 to 13 stalks...Apostles or Disciples then the Bloom is Jesus!!

jen said...

Gorgeous!! I would love to have some of these in my Garden! Thanks for the great info!!

Jen

sweetbay said...

The flowers are beautiful -- I'll have to see if that's hardy in central NC, although I'm thinking for some reason that it is not.

Jean Campbell said...

This was one of my mother's favorite houseplants. We knew it as Apostle Plant, too. She had the blue.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Good morning ladies. It's a new day and hope a good one for all of you. Thanks for your comments.

Marissa ~ If it will grow in your zone then you will love this beauty.

Catherine ~ Glad you liked. It is amazing all the different flowers there are out there. Each one interesting in their own way.

Dirt Princess ~ Oooooohhhh, you have the white purple, which I've not seen.

Darla ~ I went out and counted my leaves and there are less than 12. I hadn't heard that part until I did the search on them.

Jen ~ See if they'll grow in your zone. You won't be disappointed.

Sweetbay ~ It might not like cold temps. It is a tropical plant. Maybe you could take it in during the winter months. I just checked and it will grow in zone 8a.

Nell ~ I've seen the blue and they are beautiful!!

Happy Gardening ~ FlowerLady

Jenny wren's nest said...

Neat flower.