Fallen Heroes Series Kevin Matthews Hardy Louisiana Iris Plant - 2.5" Pot

Kevin Matthews Louisiana Iris produces large purple flowers with contrasting golden daggers outlined in black along the outer edges of the standards. This is a vigorous and hardy Louisiana Iris that is part of the Fallen Heroes series hybridized by Lee-Ann Connelly, now Shearhouse, and marketed by Ag3 Inc. A portion of the price of each plant is donated to the Fallen First Responders charity that aids the children of both Firefighters and Law Enforcement. Multiplies readily in average garden soils, moist to wet soils, or they can be set in water gardens where the container is just below the water's surface. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Immediate shipping, dormant shipping in winter. Hardy in Zone: 5-11 Mature Height: 24-30" Blooms: Midspring These easy to grow perennials are happy to grow under average garden conditions provided you understand their growth habits. Louisiana Irises are summer dormant and fall, winter, and spring growing. They are accustomed to a short dry period during the dog days of August and September here in Louisiana in the low areas. October averages to be our wettest month, with consistent rains throughout fall, winter, and spring when flowering generally occurs. Consider fertilizing them if needed during these growing periods if soils are poor. The parents of many of these species grow in the bayous where the sediment and nutrients from the meltwater of northern spring rains is deposited in these drainages as much of the central and northern US drains into Louisiana via the Red, Mississippi, and the many other waterways that drain into them. And so in the spring they naturally expect an influx of new nutrients to help them produce their beautiful flowers. This is followed by fruit production and something of a pause in top growth with rhizome development. As the fruits become fully ripened spring foliage begins to yellow and fade away as the roots absorb all the nutrients stored in them to develop the buds of next spring. At this point the ugly foliage can be pruned away but may be best left to protect and shade the young foliage during the hottest parts of summer.

• Mature Height: 24-30"
• Purple blooms
• Hardy zones 5-11
• Full Sun, well drained soil
• Immediate shipping 2.5" pot - dormant shipping in winter