Walking Irises, Neomarica spp.

Elizabeth Lawrence grew them. Your grandmother probably did too, but she called them walking irises or the apostle plant. Few nurseries carry them. The best (and sometimes only!) way to get one is "over-the-fence." Like most quintessential Southern plants, their history is fanciful and somewhat eccentric.

Botanically known as Neomarica, these Iris (Iridaceae) relatives arrived here in the late 19th century from tropical America via Dr. Francesco Franceschi, who was responsible for their introduction into cultivation in California.

Plants in this genus were originally called Marica, in honor of a mythological water nymph. The prefix "neo," the Greek word for new, was added later when it was discovered that this moniker had been already claimed for Cipura, a closely related, yet obscure genus of bulbous herbs.

The common name, apostle plant, reflects the belief of some gardeners that the plants will not bloom until they have acquired 12 leaves.

Walking Irises grow from clumping, rhizomatous rootstocks. While they are "officially" evergreen only in USDA zones 10 and 11, several nurseries, including Southern Perennials & Herbs (see http://www.s-p-h.com/home.html ) claim the rootstocks are hardy to zone 8, with protection. Gardeners in colder areas will find that several species make interesting and durable houseplants. But beware-- felines find their graceful foliage irresistible and have been known to happily shred whole plants.

All species produce ephemeral, yet showy, iris-like flowers at the end of arching stems. It is imperative not to deadhead the spent blossoms as this is where new plants will sprout. Three weeks after emerging, the stems will bend from the weight of the new plant and it will form roots and "walk" about the garden.

Four species--caerulea, gracilis, northiana and longifolia--are the types most typically grown in the South.

Neomarica caerulea, my favorite, is indigenous to the rainforests of Brazil. (See http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/car... ) Growing to three feet tall, its large clumps of sword-shaped leaves are the perfect foil to strikingly beautiful 3-inch wide blue flowers which appear singularly above the foliage in late spring. This species prefers acidic soil when grown outdoors. Fertilize monthly with Miracid during the growing season. In Florida, Neomaricas should be sited in part-shade. Morning sun is preferred. Supplemental watering is essential during periods of drought. Locally, a neighbor devised a most harmonious combination of these fine plants as as a carpet under a Jacaranda tree, where their bloom times usually overlap.

Neomarica gracilis is a shorter, more diminutive plant, typically 2 feet tall. Its fragrant flowers, while only lasting a day, are produced in succession over a period of several weeks. The white outer petals are banded in chestnut and yellow at the base, while the 3 inner segments are blue. It is the species grown most often as a houseplant, and is often the only species offered in the nursery trade. It makes an excellent hanging basket subject. In the North it blooms in early spring; I know of a church in Virginia which adorns their altar with dozens of pots in full flower each Easter! (See http://www.vg.com/cgi-bin/v2/gemag/PID=6...

According to information contained in Betrocks's Reference Guide to Flordia Landscape Plants, Neomarica longifolia is the yellow walking iris. (See http://www.papillote.dm/gallery/lily_.htm ) Scott Ogden, in his book, Garden Bulbs for the South, disagrees. He says that honor goes to Trimezia martinicensis, which he notes, is the most drought-tolerant of the travelling irises, and the one least likely to protest alkaline or clay soil. (See http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/car... )

The elusive Neomarica cf. northiana, is sometimes offered at plant sales at major botanical gardens. I received my plant from Fairchild Gardens in Miami but I have also seen this gem for sale at farmer's markets. The flowers are 2 to 3 inches in diameter and are pale yellow, tan and blue. When established, plants are fairly frost-hardy. In south Florida they make relatively pest-free landscape plants, thriving in bright shade. Flowers are fragrant.