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Name: John St.Osyth Nr Clacton on Sea. E              midnight21 Jun 4, 2014 9:31 AM CST |
Their main problem for me is the short flowering period, but while they are in bloom, I think they're hard to beat for the wonderful range of colour. In fact, the genus was named after Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Bearded iris is only one subdivision of the iris genus. But why are they called bearded? Their flowers are described according to the colour of their standards and faIls. Each flower usually has three faIls, (which are the pendant petals) and three standards (the erect petals). The beard is the tuft of hairs on each of the fails and as this isn't present in all irises, the ones that feature it are known as bearded. The bearded iris cultivars we see in gardens today are the result of much breeding work over the past 200 years. Even so, they mostly have one common ancestor Iris germanica. This is a purple flowered species from Europe and the near east. In the early 1800s, to produce a range of other colours, Iris germanica was being crossed with two other European species, Iris pallida with its pale lilac blue flowers and Iris variegata with its yellow standards and white fails with dark brown markings. Then in the 1890s a new range of species was introduced into breeding programmes, tetraploid irises, which were bigger plants with bigger flowers. American breeders have used these extensively and the results are what we see today. Breeders have also used small¬ growing species to produce dwarf bearded iris and there is now a whole spectrum of colours and sizes. Bearded iris are hardy perennials. The leaves are generally greyish green and grow in a flat fan shape from the rhizome. Some are very tolerant of poor growing conditions but they thrive best in full sun in well drained, slightly alkaline soil that is fairly rich in organic matter. They generally flower in late spring or early summer, producing their display of flowers for just a few short weeks. However, there are some varieties, that flower again in late summer. After flowering they should be quickly deadheaded so all the plant's energy is directed into growing the new rhizomes for next year. Bearded irises are sun worshippers and they need a good baking during the growing season to ripen the rhizomes. Plant them in open patches, in full sun and with their rhizomes showing on the soil surface. If the rhizomes don't see the sun, they won't ripen enough to flower the following year. Irises also won't flower very well if the rhizomes are overcrowded, particularly if they have started to grow on top of each other. The best solution is to lift the whole clump and divide it into individual rhizomes, each with a growing point, using a knife, if necessary, to slice them apart. These can then be replanted, each being given more room than before. This job is best done in August. To compensate for the initial shock of division and to prevent the plants rocking in the soil before the roots have re established, the leaves should be cut back by at least a half. Finally to give you something to look for I have compiled a few named varieties. I don't how available these are in the USA. First of all is Iris 'Florentina' which has scented white flowers with a yellow beard. Then there is the sky blue flowers of ‘Jane Phillips' and 'Tarn Hows' which is rusty brown. 'Black Swan' has dark purple flowers, and in contrast there are the pure white flowers of 'Cliffs of Dover'. 'I Do' has white flowers with a hint of green veining on the falls while 'Lovely Again' has lavender pink flowers with a yellow beard. |
Name: Sherry Austin Santa Cruz, CA (Zone 9a)          Henhouse Jun 4, 2014 11:24 AM CST |
| Would love to see some pictures of the ones you mentioned at the end of your article. The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us. |
Name: Bonnie Sojourner Harris Brake Lake, Arkansas (Zone 7a) Magnolia zone          grannysgarden Jun 4, 2014 11:44 AM CST |
| I would like to see the photos as well. Are you a hybridizer, John or just someone who appreciates their beautiful blooms and foliage? Thro' all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing; It finds an echo in my soul— How can I keep from singing? |
Name: Arlyn Whiteside County, Illinois (Zone 5a)    crowrita1 Jun 4, 2014 11:48 AM CST |
Very interesting article! I've seen most of the ones you mentioned listed "over here', in various iris vendors' catalogs. Cliffs Of Dover was one of my Mother's favorites, and it's one I also grow: ..................I, too wished they had a longer season, but we can extend our season with the re-blooming sorts. Are there any re-bloomers grown in England ?............Arlyn |
Name: Lucy Hamilton, MA (Zone 6b) irises      irisarian Jun 4, 2014 2:07 PM CST |
| 'bearded' as opposed to 'beardless'. The fuzzy object on each fall. |
Name: John St.Osyth Nr Clacton on Sea. E midnight21 Jun 4, 2014 3:28 PM CST |
| To answer a couple of your questions. I just love all plants and try to fit a few in. My main plant is fuchsias, of which I grow and hybridize. (I have details on other parts of the forum about these). I do write quite a few articles on different plants, and do talks to clubs and societies over here. I will try to find a couple of pictures, But I don't hold much hope. I live in a village a few miles outside the seaside town of Clacton on Sea. Essex, about a mile from the beach, so the climate is not too cold in winter, and not too hot in summer, usually, but we do get variations. I put out a lot of tropical and sub tropical plants in the summer, along with around 100 varieties of fuchsias, with many other plants mixed in. I will try to take and post some photo's of my garden ASAP. Anyway will close for now, as it's getting late here now and bedtime beckons. Hope to chat another time. Regards from the other side of the pond John |
Name: Paul Utah (Zone 5b) Grandchildren are my greatest joy.          Paul2032 Jun 4, 2014 4:00 PM CST |
| I often hear comments about the short bloom season of iris. I have had bearded iris in bloom for over 2 months now, achieved by planting the different classes in different locations.....micro-climates . As to short bloom season what about tulips, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, foxglove, basket of gold, creeping phlox,etc. etc. etc.........many perennials..... Paul Smith Pleasant Grove, Utah |
Name: John St.Osyth Nr Clacton on Sea. E midnight21 Jun 5, 2014 3:00 AM CST |
Morning All (Well it is here). Have found a picture of Iris "Jane Phillips", although not a good one. |
Name: Cynthia (Cindy) Melvindale, Mi (Zone 5b)      Hemlady Jun 5, 2014 4:55 AM CST |
I am not a super fan of iris's, as of yet anyway. I just placed an order for some, but I did buy a set of 3 last year because my daughter likes black flowers. I kept 2 and gave her 1. It bloomed for the first time yesterday. It is called Black is Black. I think I like it  Lighthouse Gardens |
Name: Tom Southern Wisconsin (Zone 5b)      tveguy3 Jun 5, 2014 6:18 AM CST |
| Nice black one! Voltaire: "Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities," |
Name: Cynthia (Cindy) Melvindale, Mi (Zone 5b) Hemlady Jun 5, 2014 6:21 AM CST |
| Thanks!!! It's funny because it is much blacker in my garden than in my daughter's. She lives about an hour's drive north of me and it looks more purple in her garden. Lighthouse Gardens |
Name: Arlyn Whiteside County, Illinois (Zone 5a) crowrita1 Jun 5, 2014 6:28 AM CST |
I guess I should say  to both of you, Cindy, and John! Stick around here very long, and one iris will turn into 100  . There is ALWAYS room for another!!..Arlyn |
Name: Cynthia (Cindy) Melvindale, Mi (Zone 5b) Hemlady Jun 5, 2014 6:30 AM CST |
| Thanks Arlyn. Oh gosh, I would have to start getting rid of daylilies to make room for 100, LOL. I have 250 daylilies. I really need to downsize badly. Lighthouse Gardens |
Name: Polly Kinsman Hannibal, NY (Zone 6a)      PollyK Jun 5, 2014 8:25 AM CST |
| Cindy and John. I recognize Cindy from Daves Garden (I think). |
Name: Cynthia (Cindy) Melvindale, Mi (Zone 5b) Hemlady Jun 5, 2014 11:21 AM CST |
| Oh yes, thanks PollyK. I am not there that much anymore. I am mainly here in the daylilies forum. Lighthouse Gardens |
Name: John St.Osyth Nr Clacton on Sea. E midnight21 Jun 5, 2014 12:26 PM CST |
Thanks for the welcome  I'm afraid I don't like black flowers of any kind. I love anything that slams you in the face with colour. With the weather we get in England, we need them. |
Name: Cynthia (Cindy) Melvindale, Mi (Zone 5b) Hemlady Jun 5, 2014 2:14 PM CST |
| I am not that crazy about black flowers either John. I had bought it for my daughter who likes everything black and the minumum order was for 3. So I kept 2 and gave her one. My other daughter will get one too in the fall. She is getting married the end of the month and will be moving out into her own place. Lighthouse Gardens |
Name: Mary Ann Western Kentucky (Zone 7a)     Muddymitts Jun 5, 2014 6:34 PM CST |
I like 'em all! Correction -- I LOVE 'em all!!!  Thoughts become things -- choose the good ones. (www.tut.com) |
Name: Ken Traverse City, Michigan (Zone 5a)  bramedog Jun 5, 2014 6:53 PM CST |
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Name: Mary Ann Western Kentucky (Zone 7a) Muddymitts Jun 5, 2014 8:13 PM CST |
| You 'n me, Ken!!! Thoughts become things -- choose the good ones. (www.tut.com) |
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