Neomarica caerulea Sky Blue - Blue Walking Iris

Neomarica caerulea 'Sky Blue', nicknamed Giant Brazilian Iris, is an exotic perennial sought after by collectors. Its light green evergreen foliage forms an elegant clump all year round. From late spring, it reveals its stunning bright blue flowers, which are ephemeral but bloom successively over several weeks. With its slender flower spikes that can exceed 1.50 m, it is a real eye-catcher. Magnificent in borders or pots on a terrace, this unique plant thrives in partial shade, particularly at the foot of trees. Suited to mild winters, it can also be grown in pots.

Neomarica caerulea, commonly known as Giant Brazilian Iris or Walking Iris, belongs to the Iridaceae family. This plant is native to southern and southeastern Brazil and Paraguay, where it grows in forests and open wooded areas from sea level up to around 1,600 m in altitude. It was first described in 1820 as Marica coerulea by the British nurseryman and botanist George Loddiges. The 'Sky Blue' cultivar is a horticultural selection from this species. It stands out for its brilliant sky-blue flowers, measuring 7 to 10 cm in diameter. The petals feature intricate patterns at the centre, blending shades of yellow, white, and cinnamon. The plant grows from short, fleshy rootstocks that serve as storage organs during the dry season. It forms dense clumps of sword-shaped, upright and fairly flexible leaves, reaching between 60 and 90 cm in height, with a spread of 90 cm to 1.50 m. The flower spikes, which appear from June onwards, bear ephemeral but very beautiful flowers. Although each flower lasts only a day, the succession of blooms over 4 to 6 weeks provides a prolonged display. After flowering, seedlings form towards the tips of the flower stems. As they grow, their weight causes the stem to bend towards the ground, where they take root, allowing the plant to "walk" and colonise new areas. This vegetative propagation method can lead to the formation of dense colonies if conditions are favourable.

Neomarica caerulea 'Sky Blue' thrives in mild oceanic climates or Mediterranean climates with some summer watering. Grown in pots, it makes an excellent choice for brightening up a shaded terrace or patio during the warmer months. An attractive plant in many ways but somewhat tender, it is stunning in gardens with an exotic theme, particularly at the base of large tropical trees like Jacaranda mimosifolia where it can survive. To enhance this plant, you can pair it with Blechnum brasiliense 'Volcano', a fern with young red fronds, to play with contrasting textures. Alongside it, Tricyrtis formosana, or toad lily, extends ornamental interest into autumn with its speckled flowers in mauve and purple hues.