Black Widow Iris .. 💜🖤

Photo #6/10 of Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Blackwater'). Photo Location: Schreiner's Garden on 2017-05-22. Caption: Full sun, 91 degrees F 32.7 degrees C I think this one just became the blacke...

Herbaceous perennial with creeping rhizomes. Leaves linear and grayish green, to 70 cm long. Flowering stems 25–50 cm, hollow. Flowers reddish violet to very dark violet, almost velvety black, 6–9 cm in diameter, outer petals usually with golden yellow stripes. Deliciously fragrant. Iris chrysographes, commonly known as the black iris, is a plant species that belongs to the genus Iris. It is native to S China and Myanmar (Burma), growing in meadows, streamsides, hillsides and forest margins.

'Black Iris' by Christine Stephenson, an award-winning botanical artist who paints minutely detailed 'portraits' of plants in watercolour

The Black Iris boasts velvety petals of deep, dark purple that appear almost black, offering a touch of gothic elegance to gardens. They’re perfect for adding contrast to lighter blooms. Light: Full sun to partial shade Water: Regular watering, allow to dry between Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil Temperature: 50-70°F (10-21°C) Humidity: Moderate Fertilizer: Balanced fertilizer in spring and after bloomingPresents a spectacular contrast when planted among brightly colored flowers. #iris…

watercolor on 90lb rough paper, 20"x30", 2000