Most likely Iris unguicularis - images and info in the link below

https://www.avonbulbs.co.uk/autumn-planted-bulbs/iris-unguicularis-stylosa

Iris unguicularis has been known to flower in December in favoured places. Certainly it flowers here in January/February on a regular basis. Could be one of the forms of that.

Snap!!!

My latest blog: https://amateurplantsman.wordpress.com/

This'll sound blunt but does it matter that much what sub-type it is? They're all pretty similar? The growing advice is the same?
Once they've gone to berries & if they're clumpy then you can divide them. They're tough as old boots in my experience.
I know there's rhizomatous & clump forming types but they're not hard to deal with.
I wouldn't want to spread them that much myself. They take up a big area with their leaves for a fortnight or so of flowers that are only nice when you look closely.

Yea, Darren,course it matters, ha ha! Having very late flowers like this is highly valuable, and what if someone else wants to get some for their garden, or the person wants to buy more, or someone else who's not even a member here sees this post (given its a public site with free access) and wants some? They won't know what to look for if they don't have the proper botanical name, especially if they want to buy online... if all we told them was they'd got an Iris, they'd just end up with any old Iris, given there's a wide range of varieties, plus the OP already knows its an Iris and wants a full ID to look it up. The full botanical name for a plant is like a big key - once you've got that, its 'access all areas' regarding the plant, so to speak.

Andrewr - can you insert a line between in your post, so that the web address stands on its own - I can't access your link because my touch screen picks up all of it rather than just the web address, so Mr. Google is confused - it leads nowhere, or at least, not to your blog...

I see your point, Bamboo. I was just thinking about growing the darned things!
The flowers are great (in a vase) but the combination of large size & recessive colours in a border just doesn't make sense to me 😒 Give me some gaudy glads any day!

Here you are Bamboo

https://amateurplantsman.wordpress.com/

Thanks Andrew... had a quick read!

Darren; I love gladioli, but the damn things have to be lifted, and I'm too lazy. I've still got a couple planted about 8 years ago in a large tub on my balcony which come up every year, but they always succumb to gladiolus thrips and this year was particularly bad. As for gaudy, I'd describe the Nerines still just about going on my balcony as gaudy - they're not really, but because the light has changed, it being winter, they do look gaudy now. People frequently ask what all that pink is up on my balcony in the dark days of November, nonetheless, they're so surprised to see it. But, this weekend, they will be gone, to be replaced by a couple of Box topiary balls covered in lights. Everyone assumes they're for Christmas, but they're not really - any extra light, whatever the source, at this time of year is desirable as far as I'm concerned. Still, never mind, only 18 days to go to the shortest day.. and then we're on the up - now that is a reason to celebrate.

Apologies to Piers66 for chatting on your thread...

Sorry Piers, I just don't think they're worth spreading. At risk of repeating myself, each patch forms a large spread of leaves & only gives you any interest for a short while.
There's loads of other plants that give you more for your efforts

Yes but its a very personal choice isn't it - what one person likes another doesn't. I don't like Persicarias, but others love them. To each his own. eg I love blues and whites and prefer them to garish oranges, which I try to avoid altogether.. I wouldn't get rid of my Magnolia just because it doesn't have a long flowering season...and it does take quite a lot of room up!

Piers, if you're still with us, go ahead and divide them if you want to - any sort of iris is a joy even if its flowering season
is short.

Totally agree Stera, if you like 'em grow 'em!
Good luck with them Piers!

Hello,

Yes, I'm still with you, despite the digressions!

These Iris are not in an ideal place, they're stuck under a philadelphus and hemmed in on one side by other plants. They haven't been touched for years, and may well be rather overcrowded where they are.

The reason I wanted to know the variety was so that I could do a little research for myself, work out whether it's worth dividing and moving some of them to a better position, and if so find out how / when / etc.

If anyone can recommend some comprehensive further reading I'd be grateful for links etc.

Thanks,

Piers.

Quite difficult to find detailed info about when to divide and move online, but it seems the best time, according to the RHS, is midsummer through to early autumn - the link to that is below, go down to propagation

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/24998/Iris-unguicularis/Details

Given its growing at the foot of the Philadelphus, you may find it quite difficult to dig all of it out because of the Philadelphus roots, but you should be able to get most of it, with care. Prefers to be baked in summer, so the sunniest, most sheltered position should be chosen if possible. It's actually native to the mediterranean region, and has the common name of Algerian or winter flowering Iris.

Sorry, the digressions were my fault.
When I grew these at a previous house I found that they self-seeded quite effectively, that may be something to look into. Have a look for young plants in Spring, etc.
Re: dividing, I'm pretty sure that between when the berries have ripened & shortly after they've dropped would be your best time to lift & divide