We had our first Water Iris flower open in the front pond this week, and it's amazing how much colour a single bloom can bring to a water feature. With its elegant, sword-like foliage and beautiful blue, purple or white flowers, Water Iris is one of my favourite plants for adding height and interest to a pond.

How to grow it

• ☀️ Position: Full sun to part shade, although more sunshine generally means more flowers.

• 💧 Water: Loves wet feet! Plant in shallow water or permanently moist soil around the edge of a pond.

• 🌱 Soil: Rich, moisture-retentive soil. If growing in a pond, use heavy aquatic soil rather than ordinary potting mix.

• 🌸 Flowers: Beautiful iris blooms appear in spring and early summer, rising above the strappy foliage.

• 🪴 Ponds: Perfect for planting in aquatic baskets, positioned in shallow water with the crown close to the water's surface.

• ✂️ Maintenance: Remove spent flowers and old foliage. Divide crowded clumps every few years to keep them flowering well.

CHARLIE'S No.1 TIP:

Plant Water Iris in an aquatic basket rather than directly into the bottom of your pond. This keeps the roots contained, makes maintenance much easier and allows you to lift and divide the plant without disturbing the rest of your water feature. It's a simple trick that makes pond gardening so much easier! 🌿