Complex colour combinations and showy yet delicate petals make this distinctive plant a favourite in country and town gardens alike

There are more than 300 species of iris, and their delicate flowers appear in a wide spectrum of colours – in fact, the name “iris” comes from the Greek word for rainbow. Of all of them, the bearded iris is easiest to grow and, for many gardeners, irresistibly beautiful. Favoured by gardening doyenne Gertrude Jekyll, this iris usually has flat, sword-like leaves, a heady perfume and a distinctive ridged patch at the centre of each of its lower petals, giving it its name. There are around 200 varieties to choose from; many have petals that are ruffled around the edges, others are smooth and delicate. When the upper three petals – the standards – and the lower three petals – the falls – are in different shades of the same colour, these plants are known as bitones; a typical example is the lilac-and-purple Iris 'Sierra Grande'. Where the petals have different colours, the plants are called bicolours, while those irises with white standards and coloured falls are known as amoenas. The latter include I. 'World Class' (light-purple falls) and I. 'Vive la France' (bright-blue falls). Irises with petals edged with a different colour are plicata, such as I. 'Striking' (white with orchid-pink edges) and I. 'Sixtine C' (white with violet-blue edges). For variety in your border, choose from median bearded irises, which grow from 15 to 70 cm high, and tall bearded irises (70 to 120 cm). They flower from April through to June, although there are a number of remontant irises which will put on a second show in the autumn.

HOW TO GROW BEARDED IRISES
Suitable for all styles and sizes of garden, bearded irises require little maintenance. Plant the rhizomes around 45 to 60 cm apart in late summer to early autumn, in full sun with the tops just above the ground. Ensure the site has good drainage (a handful of grit when planting won't go amiss) as waterlogged ground will cause the rhizome's roots to rot, making it more prone to disease. For impact, plant irises in groups of three and feed sparingly with high-phosphate fertilizer, taking care to avoid high-nitrogen feeds, humus and manure. In autumn, remove any faded blooms and stalks. As the foliage dies back in late autumn, the leaves can be cut back to around 15 cm to help prevent the spread of disease. The plants should be lifted and divided every three to four years in their dormant period (August to September). Cut healthy growth from the outside of the clump, discarding the older inner section, then trim the foliage and roots before replanting in fresh soil.

WHERE TO SEE AND BUY BEARDED IRISES
• The British Iris Society hosts an open day on 14 May and a summer show on 4 and 5 June at RHS Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB, (01483) 224234.
• Claire Austin Hardy Plants holds a National Collection of bearded irises; best viewed in the last week of May through to mid June. Free catalogue available. The Stone House, Cramp Pool, Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 8PE, (01952) 463700.
• Myddleton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9HG, (01992) 717711, is home to an award-winning display of bearded cultivars from late May to mid June. An open day on 29 May features bearded irises for sale .
• Seagate Irises has attractively laid out bearded iris beds in May and June, which you can visit before making your selection; or send £3 for a catalogue to Seagate Irises, Long Sutton bypass, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire PE12 9RX, (01406) 365138.
• Woottens of Wenhaston is renowned for its field displays of bearded irises, which can be seen on 21 and 22 May and from 28 May to 5 June. Woottens of Wenhaston, (01502) 478258.

WORDS AND STYLING JACKY HOBBS
PHOTOGRAPHS MICHELLE GARRETT
MAY 2005