Irises

Bearded Irises

This page is devoted to all the irises that I have. Some are yet to bloom and I will update as I go along.

Irises are wonderful evergreen perennials. They don't take up too much room and yet they are evergreen and require minimal care.

Are bearded irises worth collecting?

They are perfumed, some stronger than others. The ultimate perfumery is English Cottage, the fragrance of which can be enjoyed when you are standing nearby. It is also a rebloomer. Chocolate smells exactly like sweet and delicious chocolate, similar to Cosmos Chocolate. Some smell like bumblegum! Some scents can only be detected when kissed by strong sunshine. You really need to collect them to appreciate these irises.

Once established, irises more or less look after themselves. Some are strong naturalisers, clumping in no time. Rhizomes not only grow sideways, but underneath. Remember that if the rhizomes are too congested, they won't flower well.

For those with busy lives, bearded irises are a blessing as they require little watering, and yet when they flower, they are stunning - a myriad of rich sumptuous colours: from white to black. Some falls (lower petals) boasts deep rich colours, showcasing stripes and the beards can be yellow, orange, dark blue ... The standards or flags (upper petals) can be translucent and painters just love to capture their magic!

Why don't my bearded irises flower well?

The rhizomes of bearded irises need to be exposed to sunshine and need to be baked. They love it hot and don't mind the drought. Bearded irises need 6 to 8 hours of sunshine to bloom well and mustn't be shaded by surrounding growing plants. And that's why it's a good idea to buy plants which are standards, allowing plants underneath to be exposed to sunshine.

How do I plant rhizomes or new plants?

Irises love free-draining soil and it's a good idea to add grit to the soil. Build a mound sourrounded by a moat and spread the roots over the mound and bury the roots in the soil and water them well in. Water collects in the moat and will feed the roots. The mound prevents the roots rotting in any stagnant water. The rhizomes should be exposed to sunshine for 6 to 8 hours, as mentioned above. East, west and south facing planting will certainly encourage flowering.

Gallery

A new bearded iris for me. Pristine white topping rare and stunning apricot falls. Beautifully scented as well. Note how beautifully frilly the standards are!	Very zesty, zingy and uplifting lemon flags crowned by pure white flags. This seems to be a dwarf bearded iris, but I might be wrong.
When I set my sight on this bearded iris, it took my breath away. Full of stunning stripes carved into deep dark purple or violety falls and the flags are stunningly frilly!	This is another perfumery! Strong fragrance and the flowers are BIG! Much bigger than other bearded iries, apart from Chocolate. It's one big frilly thrill. This is the first year they have flowered, but already there is a big clump, adding much flamboyance and extravagance to my border!
Perfume Factory is another name for this bearded iris - English Cottage. Don't underestimate its paleness as it is a rebloomer or remontant which will flower again later in the year. Also, the blooms are BIG and are prolific!	This is perhaps Wabash. Snow-white flags on white picoteed dark purple! Very distinctive and striking!
Tranquility itself - serene and peace all rolled into one!	My firm favorite - a stunning strong deep lilac flags resting on a rich dark violet. An unusual combo which works up a treat!
Tickled Peach is a dwarf but very prolific bloomer. It has a strong fragrance and it showcases peachy falls and orange beard.	Very lemony yellow Golden Eclipse. Very strong colour which makes it stand out miles away.
Caligula Ideal for cottages - orange flags on darker falls.	A firm favorite as the flowers are huge and the colours so unique. Blue Bird Wine boasts of wine scarlet/ruby colour topped by frilly lilac flags. Very lovely and big blooms!