Gerald Darby Iris
Iris x robusta 'Gerald Darby'
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Gerald Darby Iris - Bare Root Iris is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Gerald Darby Iris highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Pollinator Friendly
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Fragrant
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodLate Spring, Summer
Growing Zones 4-9
Gold and purple and white blooms, the clean, classic petals of the Gerald Darby Iris (Iris x robusta 'Gerald Darby') are accented by incredible purplish red-tinted foliage! The slim petals are striped and streaked in purple veins, gold splotches and white accents.
Color when emerging in spring, the grassy, sword-like leaves are purple-red at the base when they mature, giving the dense clumps a wonderful two-tone effect! Purplish-black flowering stalks rise from the clump to 36” tall in late spring, typically producing 2-3 violet-blue flowers per stalk. Flowering from late spring to early summer and are favorites of butterflies and bees!
Gerald Darby Iris loves moist soil and even standing water, so long as it does not become stagnant. Deer resistant and readily divided every few years, you’ll enjoy more and more blooms as time goes on! These are incredibly winter and heat hardy from growing zones 4 through 9, these are easy-care and generally pest-free!
Planting and Application:
Iris are fantastic accents and erosion control around Rain Gardens, waters edge and water features! Thriving in the moisture, the grassy foliage looks fantastic as a backdrop and vertical accent long after the blooms are done. Any moist bed or border gains incredible edging and definition with a row winding through summer and fall blooming perennials and shrubs!
The Iris Gerald Darby looks amazing among mixed borders and cottage gardens, while its smaller footprint fits perfectly among container and planter gardens without overpowering. Snip a few of the uniquely colored long stems for floral arrangements, but leave a few for the butterflies.
- Violet-Purple, White & Gold Blooms
- Purple Tinged Stems & Foliage
- Early Summer Blooms for Pollinators
- Wet Soil & Water Feature Edges
- Cut Flower & Pollinator Gardens & Container Garden Friendly
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Iris rhizomes need constant moisture to perform best. Preferring full sun for the most blooms, but handling a touch of afternoon shade in the hottest growing zones. Plant in well-drained enriched soil and mulch if not planted in soil that remains consistently moist.
- Full Sun is Best
- Moist to Wet, Well-Drained Soil
- Prune Late Autumn
- Deer, Heat & Cold Resistant Zones 4 - 9
- Mulch Well
Gerald Darby Iris are classic, elegant Iris with uniquely hued flowers and foliage! Bareroot Iris prefers to be planted in the fall, so order your rhizomes from NatureHills.com and we’ll ship them at the appropriate time of the year for your climate!
