Product Description
Iris 'Black Gamecock' (25) Bare Root Plants
Common name: Louisiana Iris.
If you’re new to Louisiana Irises, this is the right place to start! You can’t go wrong with this top award winner. It is known for having “outrageous vigor”, multiplying quickly when sited properly in consistently moist to boggy soil or shallow water.
Blooming reliably each year, huge 4-6” blossoms open flat to display their regal velvety deep purple flowers with the narrowest gold signal on each petal. The bloom time varies by climate, but typically ranges from late spring into midsummer. This is certainly one of the most beautiful of all native cultivars!
Louisiana Irises typically blooms after both Siberian and Tall Bearded Irises have finished blooming for the season.
American Iris Society Award of Merit 1986
American Iris Society Honorable Mention 1982
American Iris Society Mary Swords DeBallion Medal (highest honor for a Louisiana Iris) 1989
Height: 2.0-3.0 Feet
Spread: 24.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Flower Color: Purple shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) - Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Consistent Water Needs
Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer - Midsummer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Deer and Rabbit Resistant
Growth Rate: Rapid
Bog Plant, Border Plant, Cut Flower, Mass Planting
Iris 'Black Gamecock' is a striking and dramatic Louisiana iris cultivar known for its deep, velvety purple-black flowers and remarkable vigor. It is a popular choice for water gardens, pond edges, and moist areas, adding a touch of elegance and mystery to the landscape. Here is a closer look at its captivating features:
Appearance:
- Deep Purple-Black Flowers: 'Black Gamecock' produces large, 4- to 6-inch wide, dark purple to black flowers with a velvety texture. The falls (lower petals) and standards (upright petals) are a rich, deep purple, often appearing almost black. The flowers have a subtle, sweet fragrance.
- Yellow Signals: The falls are adorned with slender, bright yellow signals (markings) that provide a beautiful contrast against the dark petals.
- Strappy Foliage: The flowers rise above clumps of green, sword-like foliage that adds vertical interest and texture to the garden.
Growing Conditions:
- Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers full sun but appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summer climates.
- Moisture: This iris loves water and thrives in moist to wet soils. It can even tolerate standing water up to 6 inches deep.
- Hardiness Zones: Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4-9, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of climates.
Care:
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth and flowering.
- Dividing: Divide clumps every few years in late summer or early fall to maintain vigor.
Uses:
- Water Gardens: Its love for moisture makes it an ideal choice for water gardens, bog gardens, and pond or stream margins.
- Moist Areas: Can be planted in moist areas of the landscape, such as rain gardens or low spots that tend to stay wet.
- Borders: Adds a dramatic touch to borders and beds.
- Naturalizing: Its vigorous growth makes it suitable for naturalizing in moist meadows or along pond edges.
- Cut Flowers: The striking flowers make excellent cut flowers for arrangements.
Additional Information:
- Vigorous Growth: 'Black Gamecock' is known for its unmatched vigor and ability to spread quickly in moist conditions.
- Cold Hardy: Despite its southern origins, it is surprisingly cold hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -30°F (-34°C).
- Award Winner: It is an award-winning iris, recognized for its exceptional beauty and garden performance.
If you are looking for a dramatic and vigorous iris with captivating dark purple-black flowers, Iris 'Black Gamecock' is an excellent choice. It is a stunning addition to any garden with moist or wet conditions.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
