Walking Iris (Neomarica gracilis): Graceful Blooms that "Walk"

Walking iris (Neomarica gracilis), also called apostle plant, is a clump-forming perennial with fans of sword-shaped, evergreen leaves and delicate, iris-like flowers—white with blue and brown markings—that last only a day but appear in succession over weeks. After flowering, the flower stem bends to the ground and roots, forming a new plant—hence "walking."

Growth

Plants reach 2–3 feet tall and wide. The flowers are fragrant and intricately patterned. It spreads slowly by the "walking" offsets, forming colonies.

Culture

Partial to full shade; moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Water regularly. Hardy in zones 9–11; in cooler zones, grow in containers and bring indoors. Divide clumps in spring.

Taxonomy

• Family: Iridaceae
• Genus: Neomarica
• Species: gracilis