Louisiana Iris ‘Black Gamecock’ - Near-Black Non-Native Iris for Pond Edges & Bog Gardens (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free)

One of the boldest irises you can grow: velvety, near-black purple flowers with a glowing gold signal in early-mid summer. ‘Black Gamecock’ (Louisiana Iris group) forms upright fans of clean, sword-like foliage and thrives in consistently moist to wet ground - perfect for the pond edge, bog garden, or a very shallow shelf. Clumps reach about 60-90 cm in bloom with a 40-60 cm spread. Unlike bearded irises, Louisiana types enjoy a richer, slightly acidic soil and regular moisture; set the crown at water level to ~0-5 cm below the surface in baskets, or keep soil evenly damp in a bog pocket. Use as a mid/back accent behind low edgers for dramatic contrast.

Where it thrives

• Light: Full sun to light/partial shade (best flowering in sun)

• Moisture/Zone: Pond collar / very shallow shelf; crown at water level or with 0-5 cm water over the soil (do not submerge deeply)

• Soil: Moisture-retentive, peat-free, humus-rich; slightly acidic is ideal (rainwater preferred in hard-water areas)

Planting & care

• Plant in a mesh aquatic basket or bog pocket using peat-free aquatic/bog compost; top with washed grit to prevent float.

• Feed not needed in wildlife ponds; richness comes from organic mulch.

• Remove spent stems and tidy foliage after flowering; cut back old leaves in late winter/early spring.

• Lift and divide every 3-4 years (warm months) to refresh and manage footprint.

• In small spaces, keep strictly basketed at the rim for neat control.

Safety (important & honest):
All irises can irritate skin/eyes and are toxic if ingested (people, pets, livestock). Wear gloves when dividing; do not ingest. Keep plant material and soil out of natural watercourses.

Truth-first wildlife note:
Flowers offer moderate pollinator value (visited by bees/long-tongued insects). The real pond benefit is structure and emergence stems. Surround with single-flowered UK natives to boost nectar through the season while ‘Black Gamecock’ supplies the drama.

Joel says…
“Think gothic velvet at the pond rim - ‘Black Gamecock’ is knockout colour with tidy fans. Keep it moist, give it sun, and split the clump when it fattens.”

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are ordering perennials between the months of October and March, including aquatic plants, please be aware that this is the dormant phase for perennials, so your plants may arrive showing potentially little or no top growth at this stage, or can in some cases still have some old leaves from last year showing also. Please don't worry, as this is all quite normal. Once the weather warms up in spring, you will start to see fresh growth and activity! If you ever have any concerns at all, please just message the team on enquiries@wildyourgarden.com and we'll always do our best to help.