Bearded Irises are the sun lovers of the Iris family and are so called because of the "fuzzy" little growth that appears just at the top of the falls. The falls are the 3 bottom petals of the flower; the 3 top ones are called standards. All Bearded Iris flowers are made up of these 6 petals. If the flowers are a single colour this is often described as a "Self". Multi-coloured or bi-toned flowers have all sorts of fancy names such as "Amoena" which means white standards and coloured falls or "Plicata" which means that the flowers have dots or lines on the petal edges. Bearded Irises come in all sizes from the very small - Miniature Dwarf Bearded - to the very tall - Tall Bearded - with an in-between group known as Intermediate and Border Bearded. Bearded Irises grow from a rhizome which is actually a swollen stem and this is why they are known botanically as rhizomatous. Irises are named after the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow and with their attractive grey foliage and stunning flowers they are one of the easiest and most rewarding of perennials to grow. Check out our How To tab for growing tips and cultural information.

Tall

Dwarf

Intermediate

aka Flag Iris

Tall Bearded Iris. What a nice Iris this is with standards in a soft buff shade and complementary falls that are a warm mauve tone. Flowers well and is generally a 'good doer'. Grey sword like foliage that forms a clump. Loves the sun and good drainage. Perennial.

 

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aka Flag Iris

Tall Bearded Iris. An award winning Iris that is officially called a Plicata. That means the flower is white washed with tones of grey blue and violet - just lovely. Grey sword like foliage. Plant in a sunny well drained spot with the rhizome exposed. Perennial.

 

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aka Flag Iris

Tall Bearded Iris. If you like dark moody flowers you will love this beautiful Iris with large, ruffled, lightly fragrant blooms that have falls and standards in red/black with a black 'beard' tipped in bronze. Happy in the sun and well drained soil. Perennial.

Bearded Iris must be planted with the rhizome exposed i.e. do not cover with soil. They like a side dressing of lime around about August and feeding with a well balanced slow release fertilizer in early October. Divide every 3 years for best results.

 

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aka Flag Iris x Germanica

Smooth red wine standards falls. Gold beards. Silky petals. A good consistent red is hard to find, This is the tallest red available, and consistently throws show stalks. Very vigorous too, and most reds aren't. Hybridizer, Luihn 1967.

Honorable Mention: 1969. Award of Merit: 1971

 

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aka Flag Iris

Tall Bearded Iris. This Iris is a 're-bloomer' meaning that it will have flowers in spring and again in late summer. The flowers in this case are very striking in tones of white and deep purple-maroon. Sword like grey foliage that forms a clump. Plant in a sunny well drained spot. Perennial.

 

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aka Flag Iris

Standards light greenish. Falls brilliant greenish yellow. Beards orange.Prefers full sun for optimal performance, may still bloom in half-day shade. Hybridizer, D Nicoll 2008.

 

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aka Flag Iris

Tall Bearded Iris. A very pretty fresh yellow Iris that blooms on tall stems in spring and again in late summer. Grey sword like foliage that forms a clump. Plant in a sunny well drained spot with the rhizome exposed. Perennial.

 

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aka Flag Iris

Silvery white standards & falls. Bluish white beards tipped yellow & lavender. Blue horns. Early to late bloom.Prefers full sun for optimal performance, may still bloom in half-day shade. Hybridizer, Byers 1985

. Honorable Mention 1989.

 

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aka Flag Iris

Standards yellow; Falls white, edges yellow; beards yellow; slight fragrance.This is a very impressive Iris.Prefers full sun for optimal performance, may still bloom in half-day shade.

 

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aka Flag Iris

Vibrant orchid lilac Tall Bearded Iris with tangerine red beards. Early to mid season bloom. Tall.Loves the sun and good drainage. Perennial. Hybridizer, Blyth 1998.