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Stinking Iris

Iris Foetidissima

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Overview

Iris foetidissima, commonly known as Stinking Iris, thrives in partial to full shade, reaching 1.5-2 feet in height. Noted for its foul-smelling leaves when crushed, this hardy perennial showcases delicate purple flowers in late spring. Post-bloom, its most striking feature is the vibrant orange seeds, displayed in open seedpods throughout fall and winter, offering a splash of color in subdued landscapes._zones 5-9.

Sun Full, HalfWater Extra in Summer, HighZones 6–9Type Perennial
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — earns its name from the unpleasant scent released when its leaves are crushed

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Extra in Summer, High
USDA zones
6–9

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Perennial
Family
Iridaceae

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Photos (110)

Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — offering a splash of color in subdued landscapes._zones 5-9; perennial with lavender blooms, image 62
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — scientifically known as Iris foetidissima; its most striking feature is the vibrant orange seeds, image 90
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — presents a peculiar yet intriguing addition to your garden
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — this iris is drought-tolerant once established, image 77
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — Noted for its foul-smelling leaves when crushed; lavender flowers in the garden, image 85
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — which become visible in the autumn when the seed pods split open; it\'s an ideal choice for underplanting in, image 73
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — perennial for full or half; making it a practical selection for water-conserving landscapes
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — offering a splash of color in subdued landscapes._zones 5-9; perennial with lavender blooms
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — Noted for its foul-smelling leaves when crushed; lavender flowers in the garden
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — presents a peculiar yet intriguing addition to your garden; this herbaceous perennial features long, image 64
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — offering a splash of color in subdued landscapes._zones 5-9; perennial with lavender blooms, image 89
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — this hardy perennial showcases delicate purple flowers in late spring
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — Noted for its foul-smelling leaves when crushed
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — displayed in open seedpods throughout fall and winter
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — it blooms with pale lavender to yellow flowers
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — Despite the "stinking" title; perennial for full or half, image 66
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — lavender flowers in the garden
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — In the late spring and early summer; iris foetidissima is remarkably disease-resistant and requires minimal, image 69
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — lavender flowers in the garden; presents a peculiar yet intriguing addition to your garden
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — Despite the "stinking" title
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — each approximately 2 to 3 inches across; offering a splash of color in subdued landscapes._zones 5-9, image 71
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — presents a peculiar yet intriguing addition to your garden; this herbaceous perennial features long
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — While the flowers are understated and not highly fragrant; in the late spring and early summer
Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) — commonly known as Stinking Iris
Photographs by 16 contributors

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