Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Day Of The Bearded Iris

Iris germanica 'Batik'
    Bearded Iris,  Tall Bearded German Iris,  Orris Root

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    3A to 10A
Height    24" to 30" / 60cm to 75cm
Spread    12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Full sun

Bloom Color    Purple
Bloom Time    Spring and Summer

The flowers are fragrant, showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
Usually quite hardy and easy to grow, there are numerous varieties of irises to pick from ... ranging from large to dwarf-like, bearded or not, water-loving or not ... and the list goes on and on.   Not only are irises gentle to the eye, but they have the added feature of attracting both butterflies and hummingbirds. The "bearded iris" is named such because of the visible tuft of hairs growing in the center of  the bloom's fall.  To reach its full flowering potential, the bearded iris should be grown in a sunny, well-drained location.  The best time to transplant its iris rhizomes would be after blooms have been spent during (depending on zones) summer dormancy.  However, transplant only when absolutely necessary.

The greatest number of cultivars seem to fall into this group, commonly referred to as the "tall bearded iris", and they are still the most popular irises found in our gardens today.  The best time for planting  tall bearded irises is from July to September, in an average, neutral soil composition.  'Batik' is quite striking with its deep purple blossoms splattered with white markings.  It has been recognized by the American Iris Society with an Honorable Mention in 1988 and an Award of Merit in 1990.  The Orris Root can be dried and used in potpourris and other mixtures needing a lavender scent.


Iris germanica 'Champagne Elegance'
    Bearded Iris,  Tall Bearded German Iris,  Orris Root

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    3A to 10A
Height    24" to 34" / 60cm to 85cm
Spread    12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Full sun

Bloom Color    Orange and white
Bloom Time    Summer

The flowers are fragrant, very showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
Usually quite hardy and easy to grow, there are numerous varieties of irises to pick from ... ranging from large to dwarf-like, bearded or not, water-loving or not ... and the list goes on and on.   Not only are irises gentle to the eye, but they have the added feature of attracting both butterflies and hummingbirds. The "bearded iris" is named such because of the visible tuft of hairs growing in the center of  the bloom's fall.  To reach its full flowering potential, the bearded iris should be grown in a sunny, well-drained location.  The best time to transplant its iris rhizomes would be after blooms have been spent during (depending on zones) summer dormancy.  However, transplant only when absolutely necessary.

The greatest number of cultivars seem to fall into this group, commonly referred to as the "tall bearded iris", and they are still the most popular irises found in our gardens today.  The best time for planting  tall bearded irises is from July to September, in an average, neutral soil composition.  The Orris Root can be dried and used in potpourris and other mixtures needing a lavender scent.

'Champagne Elegance' is a prolific bloomer, consistently reblooming in late summer, with delicate apricot-white blossoms.  The American Iris Society awarded it an Honorable Mention in 1989 and an Award of Merit in 1991.



Iris germanica 'Earl of Essex'
    Bearded Iris,  Tall Bearded German Iris,  Orris Root

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    3A to 10A
Height    24" to 35" / 60cm to 90cm
Spread    12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Full sun

Bloom Color    Lavender and white
Bloom Time    Summer

The flowers are fragrant, showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
Usually quite hardy and easy to grow, there are numerous varieties of irises to pick from ... ranging from large to dwarf-like, bearded or not, water-loving or not ... and the list goes on and on.   Not only are irises gentle to the eye, but they have the added feature of attracting both butterflies and hummingbirds. The "bearded iris" is named such because of the visible tuft of hairs growing in the center of  the bloom's fall.  To reach its full flowering potential, the bearded iris should be grown in a sunny, well-drained location.  The best time to transplant its iris rhizomes would be after blooms have been spent during (depending on zones) summer dormancy.  However, transplant only when absolutely necessary.

The greatest number of cultivars seem to fall into this group, commonly referred to as the "tall bearded iris", and they are still the most popular irises found in our gardens today.  The best time for planting  tall bearded irises is from July to September, in an average, neutral soil composition. The Orris Root can be dried and used in potpourris and other mixtures needing a lavender scent.

The blossoms of 'Earl of Essex' have violet veins on a white background, as well as pale orange beards.  This plant is famous for its ability to rebloom in late summer.  The American Iris Society awarded 'Earl of Essex' an Honorable Mention in 1983.




Iris germanica 'Before the Storm'
    Bearded Iris,  Tall Bearded German Iris,  Orris Root


Type    Perennial
Hardy range    3A to 10A
Height    30" to 37" / 75cm to 95cm
Spread    12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Full sun

Bloom Color    Black and purple
Bloom Time    Spring and Summer

The flowers are fragrant, showy and suitable for cut flowers

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green

 Culture Notes
Usually quite hardy and easy to grow, there are numerous varieties of irises to pick from ... ranging from large to dwarf-like, bearded or not, water-loving or not ... and the list goes on and on.   Not only are irises gentle to the eye, but they have the added feature of attracting both butterflies and hummingbirds. The "bearded iris" is named such because of the visible tuft of hairs growing in the center of  the bloom's fall.  To reach its full flowering potential, the bearded iris should be grown in a sunny, well-drained location.  The best time to transplant its iris rhizomes would be after blooms have been spent during (depending on zones) summer dormancy.  However, transplant only when absolutely necessary.

The greatest number of cultivars seem to fall into this group, commonly referred to as the "tall bearded iris", and they are still the most popular irises found in our gardens today.  The best time for planting  tall bearded irises is from July to September, in an average, neutral soil composition.

The slightly fragrant 'Before the Storm' is one of the darkest, purple-black tall bearded, German irises around.  It's won numerous awards over the years, the most notable being the American Iris Society's Highest award - the Dykes Medal - in 1996.  It is also the recipient of an Honorable Mention in 1991 and an Award of Merit in 1993. The Orris Root can be dried and used in potpourris and other mixtures needing a lavender scent.



Iris germanica 'Edith Wolford'
    Bearded Iris,  Tall Bearded German Iris,  Orris Root

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    3A to 10A
Height    24" to 3' / 60cm to 1.00m
Spread    12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Full sun


Bloom Color    Blue, lavender and yellow
Bloom Time    Spring and Summer

The flowers are fragrant, showy and suitable for cut flowers.


Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.


Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
Usually quite hardy and easy to grow, there are numerous varieties of irises to pick from ... ranging from large to dwarf-like, bearded or not, water-loving or not ... and the list goes on and on.   Not only are irises gentle to the eye, but they have the added feature of attracting both butterflies and hummingbirds. The "bearded iris" is named such because of the visible tuft of hairs growing in the center of  the bloom's fall.  To reach its full flowering potential, the bearded iris should be grown in a sunny, well-drained location.  The best time to transplant its iris rhizomes would be after blooms have been spent during (depending on zones) summer dormancy.  However, transplant only when absolutely necessary.

The greatest number of cultivars seem to fall into this group, commonly referred to as the "tall bearded iris", and they are still the most popular irises found in our gardens today.  The best time for planting  tall bearded irises is from July to September, in an average, neutral soil composition. The Orris Root can be dried and used in potpourris and other mixtures needing a lavender scent.

The ruffled blossoms of 'Edith Wolford' are canary yellow with blue-violet falls.  Its blue beard is tipped with orange.  The American Iris Society awarded 'Edith Wolford' its high honor - the Dykes Medal - in 1993.  It also received an Honorable Mention in 1988 and an Award of Merit in 1990.



Iris germanica 'Thornbird'
    Bearded Iris,  Tall Bearded German Iris,  Orris Root

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    3A to 10A
Height    24" to 35" / 60cm to 90cm
Spread    12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Full sun

Bloom Color    Brown, green and lavender
Bloom Time    Spring and Summer

The flowers are fragrant, showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
Usually quite hardy and easy to grow, there are numerous varieties of irises to pick from ... ranging from large to dwarf-like, bearded or not, water-loving or not ... and the list goes on and on.   Not only are irises gentle to the eye, but they have the added feature of attracting both butterflies and hummingbirds. The "bearded iris" is named such because of the visible tuft of hairs growing in the center of  the bloom's fall.  To reach its full flowering potential, the bearded iris should be grown in a sunny, well-drained location.  The best time to transplant its iris rhizomes would be after blooms have been spent during (depending on zones) summer dormancy.  However, transplant only when absolutely necessary.

The greatest number of cultivars seem to fall into this group, commonly referred to as the "tall bearded iris", and they are still the most popular irises found in our gardens today.  The best time for planting  tall bearded irises is from July to September, in an average, neutral soil composition.   The 'Thornbird' is a particularly striking iris due to its unusual appearance and coloration.   The falls are greenish-tan; violet stripes run through its beards; and the standards are light ecru.   The American Iris Society has recognized the 'Thornbird'  with its highest honor, the Dykes Medal in 1997, as well as an Honorable Mention in 1991 and an Award of Merit in 1993.  The Orris Root can be dried and used in potpourris and other mixtures needing a lavender scent.


Iris germanica 'Immortality'
    Bearded Iris,  Tall Bearded German Iris,  Orris Root

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    3A to 10A
Height    24" to 29" / 60cm to 75cm
Spread    12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm
Growth rate    Fast
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Full sun

Bloom Color    White
Bloom Time    Spring through Fall

The flowers are fragrant, showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
Usually quite hardy and easy to grow, there are numerous varieties of irises to pick from ... ranging from large to dwarf-like, bearded or not, water-loving or not ... and the list goes on and on.   Not only are irises gentle to the eye, but they have the added feature of attracting both butterflies and hummingbirds. The "bearded iris" is named such because of the visible tuft of hairs growing in the center of  the bloom's fall.  To reach its full flowering potential, the bearded iris should be grown in a sunny, well-drained location.  The best time to transplant its iris rhizomes would be after blooms have been spent during (depending on zones) summer dormancy.  However, transplant only when absolutely necessary.

The greatest number of cultivars seem to fall into this group, commonly referred to as the "tall bearded iris", and they are still the most popular irises found in our gardens today.  The best time for planting  tall bearded irises is from July to September, in an average, neutral soil composition.   'Immortality' is a superior rebloomer with a fragrant aroma.   It sends up new blooms in mid November, and its blossoms are pure white with a light yellow beard.  'Immortality' has been recognized by the American Iris Society with an Honorable Mention in 1986 and an Award of Merit in 1990.  The Orris Root can be dried and used in potpourris and other mixtures needing a lavender scent.


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