Containing over 50 different species, the Scopiris subgenus, commonly known as Juno Irises, is a very large group but many of these species are rare and difficult to grow in the garden, and so are seldom seen.

The plants themselves differ markedly from other irises, having rich green glossy leaves which grow in the manner of a leek or taller like a small corn stalk. They grow from a bulb with thick fleshy roots, similar to daylily roots, but very brittle. The plants deplete the store of food from the roots as they grow and bloom, replenishing it as the leaves die back.

Flowers are typical of the iris family. Standards are diminished and drooping, style crests are upright and prominent, and falls are generally
small, rounded and flaring slightly.

Juno species have much the same height and bloom season range as do bearded irises, with the season commencing in spring with the smaller members, and finishing in summer with the taller ones.

The range of colours is not wide, with most having white or yellow & white blooms, and a few in the blue/mauve range. The plants prefer to be grown in a gravelly or sandy soil, with not too rich a mix, and on the alkaline side. A little lime may be added to the mix. They may be grown in a sunny, sheltered rockery garden situation, or in tall pots which allow ample room for root growth. The may need to be sheltered from late summer rains to avoid rotting of the roots. Pots are best watered from the bottom, and a garden situation should allow good depth of soil, and sharp drainage.

The bulbs are dormant in summer and must be handled extremely carefully when transplanted, as the freshly dug roots are very brittle and may snap off. Allowing the roots to dry for a few hours will make for easier handling, and broken off roots may sometimes grow a new plant if buried about 2cm under the soil.

Certain varieties are relatively easy to grow. These include I. bucharica, I. magnifica, I. magnifica alba, I graeberiana, I cycloglossa, and hybrids such as ‘sindpers’ and ‘warlsind’. Plants such as I. bucharica hybridise with other junos with some ease.