Create Your Garden

Iris spuria ‘Missouri Rainbows’ (Blue Iris)

Blue Iris 'Missouri Rainbows', Spurious Iris 'Missouri Rainbows', Salt Marsh Iris 'Missouri Rainbows', Butterfly Iris 'Missouri Rainbows'

Award General
Iris Spuria, Blue Iris 'Missouri Rainbows', Spurious Iris 'Missouri Rainbows', Salt Marsh Iris 'Missouri Rainbows', Butterfly Iris 'Missouri Rainbows', Blue Iris, Blue Flowers, Bicolor Iris, Bicolor Flowers

Incredibly eye-catching, Iris spuria ‘Missouri Rainbows’ is a graceful rhizomatous perennial with attractive beardless flowers with slim, ruffled, lilac falls adorned with large golden signals. Native to Central and Southern Europe, this iris reaches a height of 40 in. (100 cm) and generally blooms 1 to 2 weeks after the Tall Bearded Irises – providing a striking display in late spring to early summer.

  • Won the Honorable Mention award as well as the Eric Nies Medal (2004)
  • Growing in clumps with handsome narrow linear leaves to 1 ft. long (30 cm), this iris will reward you with beautiful blooms and long-lasting cut flowers.
  • Sets seed easily and will naturalize into large clumps.
  • Attracts bees and butterflies and is usually deer resistant.
  • Performs best in full sun, in richhumusymedium moistureneutral to slightly alkalinewell-drained soils. Partial shade is tolerated, especially in areas that have extremely high temperatures in the summer. However, both flowering performance and disease resistance may be altered. While consistent moisture should be provided during the growing season, wet soils are to be avoided to avoid rot issues. Less moisture is needed after blooming since most spurias are summer dormant (Do not water your spuria irises when dormant as this will cause rot).
  • Drought tolerant once established. Spuria irises are very heavy feeders, so make sure you fertilize them regularly prior to bloom.
  • Makes a great focal point and is a welcomed addition to bedsborderswall-side borderscity gardenscoastal gardens, and cottage gardens.
  • Should be planted in mid to late summer, about 2 in. deep (5 cm) and 24-36 in. apart (60-90 cm). Space your irises far enough apart to grow in the same location for years as spuria irises resent being transplanted. Spuria irises usually do not bloom the first year after planting. The second year should produce several bloom stalks.
  • Deadhead spent flowers and remove any dying foliage in fall. Old flower stems can be cut down after blooming is over, not only for neatness but to allow air to reach the rhizomes.
  • Divide plants immediately after flowering when overcrowding occurs (every 3-4 years). Propagate by division of rhizomes from mid-summer to early fall
  • May be attacked by slugs, snails, and thrips and be subject to gray molds, mustard seed fungus, or crown rot.
  • Tips to get your spuria irises to bloom: (1) Don’t plant the rhizomes too deep, (2) Provide enough light, (3) Don’t over-fertilize (4) Divide your plants when overcrowded.
  • All parts may cause discomfort if ingested. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Iris spuria is native to Central and Southern Europe and from Algeria to Iran.

Irises: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for irises like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these striking plants

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Iridaceae
Genus Iris spuria
Common names Blue Iris, Butterfly Iris, Iris
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Iris spuria (Blue Iris)
Not sure which Iris spuria (Blue Iris) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Iris spuria ‘Sahara Sands’ (Blue Iris)
Iris spuria ‘Lucky Devil’ (Blue Iris)

Recommended Companion Plants

Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana (Siberian Spurge)
Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’ (Catmint)
Gladiolus callianthus murielae (Abyssinian Sword-Lily)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Striking Border Idea with Irises, Siberian Spurge & Catmint
Iris spuria (Blue Iris)
Irises: How to Grow and Care with Success
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Iridaceae
Genus Iris spuria
Common names Blue Iris, Butterfly Iris, Iris
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Iris spuria (Blue Iris)
Not sure which Iris spuria (Blue Iris) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Iris spuria ‘Missouri Rainbows’ (Blue Iris) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Iris spuria ‘Missouri Rainbows’ (Blue Iris) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone