Iris ‘Broadway’ is a sought-after garden plant, admired for its striking appearance and straightforward cultivation. This bearded iris cultivar offers a visual spectacle, making it a favored addition for gardeners seeking vibrant color and form. Its enduring popularity stems from its reliable performance and the distinctive beauty it brings.
Distinctive Features of Iris Broadway
Iris ‘Broadway Star,’ a bearded iris, showcases a captivating blend of colors. Its large, showy flowers feature a striking combination of purple and yellow petals. These blooms are characterized by three upright petals (standards) and three downward-curving petals (falls), which often display contrasting patterns. Its unique coloration and form contribute to its desirability.
This variety also offers a pleasant fragrance. Blooming generally occurs from late spring to early summer (May or June), providing a burst of color.
Planting and Site Selection
Selecting an appropriate site is key for Iris ‘Broadway.’ These plants thrive in full sun, receiving at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Ample light is preferred for optimal blooming.
Well-drained, fertile soil is important for healthy growth. If your garden has heavy clay soil, amend it with coarse sand, compost, or gypsum to improve drainage. Plant rhizomes (fleshy root structures) with their tops just at or slightly below the soil surface (about half an inch to one inch deep), with roots spread out beneath them. Space individual rhizomes 12 to 24 inches apart for growth and air circulation. The best time for planting is late summer to early fall (July through September), allowing roots to establish before winter.
Ongoing Care for Thriving Iris Broadway
Consistent care helps Iris ‘Broadway’ flourish and produce abundant blooms. Newly planted irises require regular moisture until their root systems are established. For mature plants, infrequent but deep watering is beneficial, allowing the soil to dry out between applications to prevent rot.
Fertilize with a low-nitrogen formula (e.g., 5-10-10 or 6-10-10 blend). Apply fertilizer in early spring, approximately six weeks before blooming, and again about a month after flowering concludes. Bone meal or superphosphate can also support healthy growth. Once blooms fade, deadhead spent flower stalks by cutting them at ground level to maintain plant appearance. To ensure continued vigor and robust flowering, divide iris rhizomes every two to five years, typically in late summer or early fall after blooming.
Addressing Common Challenges
Gardeners may encounter common issues when cultivating Iris ‘Broadway.’ The iris borer, a pinkish caterpillar, tunnels into leaves and rhizomes, causing damage and often leading to bacterial soft rot. Signs of borer activity include pinholes, discolored streaks on leaves, and ragged edges. Removing old iris foliage and debris in late fall or early spring (ideally before April 1) can help eliminate overwintering borer eggs.
Bacterial soft rot, caused by the bacterium Erwinia carotovora, often enters through borer wounds. Infected rhizomes become slimy, mushy, and emit a foul odor; leaves may yellow and collapse. Ensure good soil drainage and avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization to prevent this issue.
If soft rot occurs, promptly remove affected plant parts and discard them. For minor infections, cut out the damaged area and treat the remaining healthy rhizome with a dilute bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water).
Leaf spot, another common concern, appears as irregular brown or translucent spots on leaves and and can be managed through good sanitation practices and proper plant spacing.