If you look around the garden in early summer, before the delphiniums and other taller plants are out, then the borders may have a lumpy feel, lacking height and taller, slender accents to break up the mounds of roses and shrubs. The bearded iris is an ideal plant to add height. As well the iris comes in a range of glorious colour from pale pastels, clear white through to deepest burgundy, bronze and blue-black. Totally irresistable.
There are tall, median and short bearded iris. But here we cover only the tall bearded iris that creates such a splash in the garden. Iris germanica itself is considered to be a hybrid tall bearded type, flowering before the modern tall beardeds. These are a complex hybrid with I. pallida and I. variegata in their parentage, as well as I. trojana and I. mesopotamica.
True thoroughbreds, they have now been bred in almost every conceivable hue and combination, with some of the results being, frankly, a little over the top. There is no doubt that the modern bearded iris is both flamboyant and of great garden value.
Great planting companions for irises are heritage and modern roses, later flowering perennials such as euphorbia, astrantias, aconitum, geraniums, dianthus and many more. They combine well when planted in front of cistus, hebes, shrub and modern roses, philadelphus, and berberis. In windy positions, avoid planting irises closely with long-limbed plants that will damage the iris blooms.
In fact the bearded iris can be successfully combined with any plant that allows it to receive the sun it requires. The iris rhizome needs to receive a summer 'baking' to ripen it and encourage the next season's flowers. Use the iris where the tall blade-like leaves will make a contrast in form with a softer of more divided leaf form, as in the astrantia or geranium.
Plants such a paeonies and hostas are not good companions, as they require both a heavier soil and more moisture than the iris.
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Irresistable irises
Cultivation
- Generous flowering (and a lower incidence of pests and disease) is experienced in climates with the hot, drier summers that bearded iris prefer. If you have a damper climate, with plenty of moisture year-round, try planting in a raised bed or on a bank where the moisture will drain away.
- Iris requires a fertile soil with plenty of humus or organic matter but are fussy as to fresh manure. A top dressing of super phosphate will encourage good growth.
- Plant 15-20cm apart, placing the rhizome on the surface of the soil, roots down and well spread, and settle them into the soil so that the are no more than half buried. Water in well. Once new root growth occurs the plants will have anchored firmly in the soil.
- Avoid fresh or animal manure, which should not be used on existing beds of irises. Manure can be dug in thoroughly before establishing a new planting if given time to settle before the actual planting.
- Good garden hygiene is essential with irises; always remove old leaves, flowers and weeds to prevent disease and to ensure that plenty of sunlight reaches the rhizomes. This 'baking' is essential to good flowering in the following season.
- Use clean tools when working around your plants, this will reduce the risk of disease
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Soft pink adds a lighter touch
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