Iris setosa with Ink Black Seed Pods
20 seeds per packet.
A lovely species with a wide distribution from Alaska to Russia and Japan. This is a very nice form of I. setosa, producing good-sized, dark blue flowers, sword-shaped, blue-green leaves and seed pods that turn the shade of ink black as they mature. Flowering May to June. Height 60 cm. Moist, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS:
Sow from autumn to early spring. Soak seeds in water for 48 hours before sowing. Cover seed thinly, press in gently and keep top of compost from drying out. Keep pot outdoors or in cold frame over winter. Seeds germinate in spring.
Alternatively, if seeds can’t be sown in autumn or early spring use the following method: mix seeds with damp vermiculite and place inside a ziplock bag, keep bag somewhere warm for 3 weeks, then place in fridge (not freezer) for 8 weeks. Next spread mixture on top of a pot, thinly cover with compost or grit and keep warm at 15 to 20°C until germination, then move to somewhere cooler.
Carefully prick out seedlings when they have developed true leaves and are large enough to transplant to individual pots for growing on.