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Help identifying plant

ObliqueGeekObliqueGeek Posts: 53
edited July 2018 in Plants
Hi all, 

Just a bit of help needed identifying a plant. 

It's normally green, produced the odd pod of orange seeds in the past. Went on holiday and came back to it covered in flowers, now looks like in the picture. 99% leaves have gone dry, yellow/brown. The only green parts are the multiple seed pods. I'm assuming it's something to do with the flowering/seeding process. 

So just hoping someone can identify it and give me some pointers on what to do next. 

Also wondered if it would be possible to move it? It's about 4ft across including all the leaves. 

Thanks in advance

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Probably Iris foetidissima. 


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I agree Nut.
    It looks sick, leaves on mine are still green. I would not move it, until you know it is alive.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • ObliqueGeekObliqueGeek Posts: 53
    Definitely agree with the nutcutlet, especially now that I've googled it. Thanks!

    But no, it's doesn't look great. It's been green and growing well for the last couple of 4 years. Then suddenly this. As I mentioned, I was putting it down to something to do with the mass flowering that it's never done before, but I guess it would also have been right at the start of this hot period. Or maybe a combination of both. 

    Our backgarden is quite sparse at the moment (currently getting the front sorted) so this stands out like an ugly sore thumb!
  • ObliqueGeekObliqueGeek Posts: 53
    Anyone have any idea what best to do with it? Is it done for? Leave it or cut it down?
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    I'd cut off all that unsightly dead foliage and keep the plant well watered.  Reproduction takes a lot out of a plant, so it will stand a better chance of recovery if you also take off most of the seed pods.  If you leave a couple to ripen on the plant, you can sow them in pots as a backup in case the plant doesn't survive.

    Some plants only flower, or flower more profusely, when they're stressed, and you've got a rather congested clump there, so the ground it's in may be poor in nutrients.  Then, of course, it dried out while you were away.  If it survives, it would be a good idea to split into, say, four or five small clumps, and dig in some manure or homemade compost when you replant it.
  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 579
    This is usually as tough as old boots and will recover with a good soaking.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    those brown leaves won't recover though, I've mowed them when they look like that and they throw up new leaves


    In the sticks near Peterborough
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