Flowers Of May: Bearded Iris

This old fashioned favorite is top of the list for many gardeners. Although the peak bloom for most of this class of iris is May, they can start as early as April and flower into June (or late summer if you count the reblooming types).

bearded iris flower parts — Main flower parts labeled

Called “Bearded” because they have what looks like a bushy tuft of hair growing on it’s fall.

Named Iris from the Greek goddess who rode rainbows, because it seems to come in all the colors of the rainbow.

As you may have guessed, like the tulips and other popular flowers, the iris is classified into categories of bloom and height.

Iris Germanica

Not A Bulb

German iris grow from a flattened underground stem which has food stores and sends out roots from its growing points.

Beaux Arts is an orchid pink self with an orange beard. It is luminous in the morning garden.

Bearded Iris Types and Classifications

Class Descriptions

Miniature Dwarf Bearded have the earliest bloom time. This short variety reaches about 8 inches in height. It’s height and early bloom make it a good candidate for a dooryard garden, or the very front of a flower bed. Like the smaller bulbs of an earlier spring garden, this iris looks pretty massed in a large group.

Standard Dwarf blooms next. They grow up to 16 inches tall. Growers like Schreiners have this and the first group classed together, and they may be used in the same way in the garden.

Intermediate Bearded– blooms later than the dwarfs, but overlaps their bloom time. Range in size from 16 inches to 27 inches high.

Border Bearded & Tall Bearded-these bloom during late spring/ early summer. They have the largest flower heads, with long stalks bearing numerous buds. Heights are taller than 27 inches.

These produce many types of flowers, including:

Self: Falls and the standards are the same color.

Plicata: Darker margins which are stippled, dotted or look like stitches (pretty picotee) on falls of a lighter color.
Neglecta: An iris of blue or purple bitones with lighter tone standards.
Amoenas: Colored falls and white standards.
Variegata: Yellow or near-yellow standards with darker falls of brown or purple.
Glaciata: Iris without purple anthocyanin pigment.
Luminata: An iris with a white or yellow base washed over with color.
Bitone and Reverse bitone: Standards and falls of the same color, but the standards are a lighter shade (and vice versa for the ‘Reverse bitone’).
Bicolor: Two different colors for standards and falls.

A few more variations are the ‘Emma Cook Pattern’ and ‘broken color’.

How To Grow

At least half a day of sun or they won’t bloom.
Well-drained soil or you risk rot. Fertile, neutral to slightly acidic soil is best.
Soil drainage is very important.
Plant iris in mid- to late summer.
Bearded irises can be grown in borders with other perennials, but they do best in a bed of their own.
Rhizomes (fleshy roots) should be partially exposed, or thinly covered with soil. Plant singly or in groups of three with the fans facing outwards
Dig a trench 4 inches deep. Make a ridge of soil down the middle and place the rhizomes on the ridge, spreading roots. Backfill depressions where roots are with soil and firm gently.
Water thoroughly at planting time.
Top-dress with a low-nitrogen fertilizer, and again in next early spring. When crowded, divide in late summer during dormancy.

Truly for Cold Climate Gardens

Hardy to temperatures of – 40 °F

Complete Instructions On Iris Germanica

Gardening Tips for German Iris

Wet feet, dry knees

Don’t use high nitrogen fertilizers which will results in sappy leaf growth.
Remove dead leaves during winter, to prevent iris borers.
Keep the rhizomes exposed to light and air. A bit of loose, thinly laid mulch is fine, and helpful.
Divide every 2 to 5 years.

How To Deadhead Iris

It is pretty futile to try to recommend specific varieties with any sort of consistency, because like petunias, the breeders just keep making more and more new, increasingly beautiful ones. I have one I can’t find anymore, ‘Beaux Arts’ which is the most gorgeous orchid pink with frilly petals. (used for the flower parts illustration). Looks like a Nevada Showgirl in my humble garden.

However I will say that there are “types” from clear shades of delicious color to speckled or deep jewel toned ones.

Fascinating Facts

Iris germanica describes many hybrids, not a species.

One of the types of iris ( I.pallida is another) harvested for Orris root, the powdered rhyzome. Used in perfume and as a food spice.

The only flower color not available is bright scarlet red.

German Iris Dykes Medal Winners

The Dykes Medal is awarded each year to the finest iris of any class. Tall bearded irises have won more often than any other class of iris.

Interesting site to explore some old varieties, Pickle Barrel House

Hope you enjoyed this overview of a fine old perennial, one that is considered a stalwart of the garden. They do take a bit of work, but when blooming they are real showstoppers.

Do you grow them? Do you like the older varieties, or have you tried a new one that is becoming a favorite? During the years I had to let the garden go in favor of attending family needs, many of my old irises were lost (plowed under). I made sure I had three remain, and will try to get more going in the garden: Bubbling Over, Beaux Arts, Scotch Lass.