The Benton Iris family

  • The Benton Iris family
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The Benton Iris Family

During his lifetime, artist Cedric Morris grew around 100 species of iris at his home in Benton End, Suffolk. After he passed away in 1982, many of these were scattered across the country, though the restoration of his Benton End home is welcoming many of them back.

Many of the Benton irises species Morris loved are prominent within The Nurture Landscapes Garden. Though Morris grew thousands of plants, around 90 are named after an individual that he had a close connection with, including the art students he taught throughout his life.

It is an honour to celebrate the life of such a celebrated figure in the history of UK art and horticulture. Let’s take a closer look at some of the examples within this symbolic group of plants:

Benton Caramel

Grows best in:

  • Well-drained, fertile, neutral to slightly acidic soil
  • Full sun
  • Sand / clay

Flower colour(s):

  • Red / burgundy
  • Purple
  • Lower petals tend to have yellow or orange beards

Height: Between 0.5 and 1 metre

Ideal places to grow:

  • Courtyard gardens
  • City gardens
  • Borders / beds
  • Can also grow in gravel gardens

Care and maintenance:

  • Plant late summer / early autumn
  • Remove faded leaves and foliage in autumn
  • Cut old flower stems after flowering
  • Be wary of pests

Benton Diedre

Grows best in:

  • Well-drained, fertile, neutral to slightly acidic soil
  • Full sun
  • Sand / clay

Flower colour(s):

  • Red / burgundy
  • Purple
  • Lower petals tend to have yellow or orange beards

Height: Between 0.5 and 1 metre

Ideal places to grow:

  • Courtyard gardens
  • City gardens
  • Borders / beds
  • Can also grow in gravel gardens

Care and maintenance:

  • Plant late summer / early autumn
  • Remove faded leaves and foliage in autumn
  • Cut old flower stems after flowering

Benton Susan

Grows best in:

  • Sand / clay
  • Chalk
  • Full sun
  • East, South, or West-facing
  • Moist but well-drained soil

Flower colour(s):

  • Pale orange or brown upper petals
  • White lower petals
  • Lower petals have dark orange / red markings with caramel edge

Height: Around 1m

Ideal places to grow:

  • Informal gardens
  • Borders / beds

Care and maintenance:

  • Remove withered leaves in late winter / early spring
  • Little to no pruning required
  • Be wary of pests
  • May also be vulnerable to viruses such as leaf spot.

Benton Farewell

Grows best in:

  • Sand / clay
  • Full sun or partial shade
  • East, South, or West-facing
  • Moist but not waterlogged / well-drained soil

Flower colour(s):

  • Cream-white
  • Lower petals have yellow fringes and yellow beards

Height: Between 0.5m and 1m

Ideal places to grow:

  • City / courtyard gardens
  • Informal gardens
  • Coastal areas
  • Borders / beds
  • Edges

Care and maintenance:

  • Remove dying foliage during autumn months and cut back old stems
  • May be vulnerable to grey mould and rot.

Benton Menace

Grows best in:

  • Sand / clay
  • Full sun or partial shade
  • Do not allow other plants to over-shade
  • East, South, or West-facing
  • Moist but not waterlogged / well-drained soil

Flower colour(s):

  • Bright purple
  • Red / pink
  • Yellow beards

Height: Between 0.5m and 1m

Ideal places to grow:

  • City / courtyard gardens
  • Informal gardens
  • Coastal areas
  • Borders / beds
  • Edges

Care and maintenance:

  • Cut back old flower stems and foliage during autumn months
  • May be vulnerable to grey mould and rot.
  • Can be vulnerable to slugs and snails