The missing red pigment
Irises lack the pigment needed for a clear scarlet. What gardeners call a red iris usually leans toward burgundy, wine, brown-red or copper. Searchers who ask whether irises can be red have noticed this gap, and the honest answer is that they can nearly be.
Closest matches to red
- Burgundy and maroon bearded irises are the most common reddish types.
- Iris fulva, the copper iris from the southern United States, has orange-red flowers and grows in damp ground.
- Louisiana hybrids include red-toned flowers that like moist soil.
- Some bearded cultivars carry brick or rust shades with a brown beard.
What reddish irises mean
The meaning most often given for iris is faith or hope. Red tones are often linked with passion, but no flower dictionary has a firm entry for a red iris, so treat any claim carefully.
Growing the reddish types
Bearded irises like full sun and a dry summer, which suits Adelaide, Perth and Canberra. In Melbourne, plant in a raised bed to improve drainage. Louisiana and copper irises need regular moisture, so use a pond edge or a wet corner. In subtropical areas, choose Louisiana types over bearded ones because they cope better with humidity.
Reddish irises and the vet
Rhizomes are the part to watch. The ASPCA names irises as a hazard for dogs, cats and horses, and drooling, vomiting and lethargy have been recorded. Call a vet if your animal has eaten any.
