Paleyellow Iris

Iris pseudacorus

Native to:
Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Madeira, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Iridaceae
Genus:
Iris
Species:
Iris pseudacorus
USDA Symbol:
IRPS

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Geophyte
Height:
150 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis) Butterflies:Limochores Scudder

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
waterfowl, muskrats
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, moisture-retentive loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Commonly found in wetlands and along water bodies

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
30–180 days
Notes:
Germination can be erratic. Seeds require cold stratification and consistent moisture; best sown in fall for natural cold treatment.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow at 20°C for 6 weeks, then place @ 4°C for 6 weeks, then slowly raise temperature to 10°C for 6 weeks. If there is no germination, repeat the cycle. Requires light or the seed is very fine. Surface sow and expose to light. Requires scarification. Nick or rub between sheets of sandpaper. Requires soaking. Place in warm water until seeds swell, usually 24-48 hours. Discard water and any seeds that remain floating. * sow fresh or soak old seed; prechill 4 weeks or place outdoors over winter and bring indoors once germinated to avoid temperature shock; transplant at 4 leaves

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society