Orthrosanthos laxis

Description

Orthrosanthus laxus

Orthrosanthus laxus, commonly known as morning iris, is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial reaching around 50-60cm in height, with a spread of up to 30cm. Woody rhizomes give rise to narrow, grass-like, iris-style leaves with slightly rough edges, forming neat, upright tufts of foliage.

Wiry, branching stems carry pale violet-blue, saucer-shaped flowers that open in succession from late spring into early summer, lending a soft, airy quality to the border. It is well suited to rockeries, raised beds, informal borders and edging, particularly in a sunny, well-drained spot.

Cultivation is straightforward: grow in light, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. It copes well with dry conditions once established, making it a useful choice for xeriscaping or gravel gardens. In colder areas, protect with a dry mulch over winter