Iris bucharica (also known as Bukhara iris) is a bulbous flowering perennial plant in the 'Juno' section of the genus Iris. Pronounced 'bukh-AR-ee-kuh'.[1]
Named after the city of 'Bukhara' in Uzbekistan, Russia.
It was illustrated in the Curtis's Botanical Magazine, Tab. 7111 on 1 April 1890, and was incorrectly described by Baker as a specimen of 'Iris orchioides'.[2]
It was introduced into the UK in 1902.[3]
Habit
It is a bulbous perennial.
It grows to 25 cm, with lanceolate leaves, each bulb producing several flowers in spring. The flowers are white standards with yellow falls.[4] The falls sometimes have brown markings and an deep yellow crest. Each flowers stem will normally produce up to 7 flowers. It has blue-green leaves that become glossy green later.[3]
Pure yellow forms are occasionally wrongly labelled as I. orchioides (a different species).[5]
It is widely cultivated in temperate regions.[3]
It is hardy to USDA Zones:5-9.[1]
It is fairly easy to grow and will increase (by bulblets) very quickly.[3]
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6]
Native
It is native to the rocky mountain slopes in north-eastern Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan around Bukhara.
Hybrid
Iris x ‘Sunny Side Up’
A hybrid of Iris bucharica and Iris magnifica and has yellow and white flowers. It grows up to a height of 50 cm (20"). It is also hardy to Zone 6.[7]
Iris bucharica 'Princess' (Foster)
This hybrid flowers in April and May, the fragrant flowers (similar to freesia), are white with yellow blades on the falls. It reaches a height of between 25-35cm (10-14"). It is also hardy to Zone 6. It is also known as 'I. orchioides f. bicolor'.[8]
