Walking Iris (Neomarica caerulea): Twelve Apostles with Ephemeral Blooms

Neomarica caerulea, the Walking Iris or Twelve Apostles, is a unique iris relative that produces plantlets at the tips of its flower stems, which bend to the ground and root—"walking" across the garden. The flowers are exquisite but last one day.

Botanical Profile

Culture & Movement

Native to Brazil, this clump-forming perennial has fans of stiff, sword-like leaves 2–3 feet tall. The flower stems emerge from the leaf axils, bearing 3-inch flowers with white standards and blue-violet falls, marked with intricate patterns. Each flower lasts one day, but succession blooms over weeks. After flowering, the stem elongates, touches soil, and roots a new plantlet.

It prefers part shade to shade, moist, well-drained soil, and humidity. Hardy in zones 9–11; in cooler zones, a container plant for shaded patios. The "walking" habit creates expanding colonies. A fascinating, architectural plant for shaded, moist gardens.