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Iris Ballet Lesson

Iris germanica Ballet Lesson
German Iris, Bearded Iris

5,0/5
3 reviews
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First bloom, and beautiful hues. Looking forward to next year, very satisfied.

Frederic, 12/05/2021

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

More information

Value-for-money
A lilliput iris with uniform, light apricot flowers, barely streaked with flesh pink under the small bright orange beard. This variety blooms in April and quickly forms pretty, very bright clumps in borders, rockeries, or containers.
Height at maturity
20 cm
Spread at maturity
25 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time September to October
Recommended planting time February to March, July to October
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Flowering time April
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Description

Iris Ballet Lesson, also known as lilliput iris, is a small variety with uniform light apricot flowers that are barely streaked with flesh pink under the small bright orange beard. It blooms in April, before the tall irises, and quickly forms beautiful, very bright clumps in borders, rockeries, or containers.

 

Iris 'Ballet Lesson' is a rhizomatous, deciduous perennial plant with an upright clump from spring. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many modest-sized cultivars that appeared in the 1950s. Originally, the 'lilliput' category referred to the cross-breeding of an Iris pumila and a tall iris. This term now generally refers to the category of standard dwarf bearded (SDB) irises.  'Ballet Lesson' will reach 20 cm (8in) high when in bloom, with numerous buds, and the clump will spread without a theoretical limit over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. It forms a dense clump of long, sword-shaped, glaucous green, heavily veined leaves. Floral stems appear in March and bloom in April from the top down. The colour is enhanced by the texture of the petals and sepals, which are waxy and slightly translucent.

 

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil...), their vegetation (low-growing plants or light foliage), their decorative appearance and flowering time. For example, Gaura will cast little shade on irises and will keep the faded iris bed attractive throughout the summer. Eschscholzia will be content with a dry and poor soil, just like the iris. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also pair well with irises. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense plantings of old diploid varieties that can remain in place and require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for care is possible, choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates that are less likely to be knocked over than tall varieties.

Path border: the entire range can be used, from early dwarfs under 40 cm (16in) to tall irises over 75 cm (30in) that bloom in May, including intermediates (in size and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but bloom with the tall ones. Tall irises may be prone to breaking if not staked.

Bed border: the domain of border irises... but also dwarfs, depending on the circumstances.

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, depending on the location (foreground, background) and the size of the surrounding plants.

Iris Ballet Lesson in pictures

Iris Ballet Lesson (Flowering) Flowering
Iris Ballet Lesson (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour orange
Flowering time April
Inflorescence Cluster

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 20 cm
Spread at maturity 25 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Iris

Species

germanica

Cultivar

Ballet Lesson

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

German Iris, Bearded Iris

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference804971

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Planting and care

Do you have a sunny, warm location, rather dry in summer?
This is the ideal location for irises! In the shade, they grow but do not flower. They are hardy and do not need winter protection. Well-drained soil is perfect, even if it is rather dry and chalky. Soil that is too wet promotes rhizome rot. Plant from July to September to allow the rhizomes to grow and develop new roots before winter. They should be planted immediately after purchase for best results. Plan to divide irises every 4 years or so to give them fresh soil. They have vigorous growth and need space to develop and flower well. Plant them with spacing adapted to the size and vigour of the variety: about 34-50 cm (13-20in) for the tall ones. In a monochrome planting, the rhizomes are planted in a staggered pattern. To create a mix of colours, plant them in groups of several of the same variety. Always consider the direction of growth of the rhizomes by arranging them in a star shape, with buds and leaves facing outward, and spacing them well away from other varieties so that they have room to develop.

Planting

Dig a hole that is wide and deep enough. Make a conical mound of soil in the hole and place the rhizome on it, spreading out the roots. Cover the roots but leave the rootstock just above the surface of the soil. It should not be planted in a dip (risk of rot), so anticipate that the soil will settle and the iris will sink. In clay or wet soil, the rhizome can even be left elevated on a slight mound. To make the soil cling to the roots, lightly firm and water after planting. Water 2-3 times if necessary until it takes root.

Maintenance:

Keep the soil free of weeds by lightly hoeing, taking care not to damage the rhizomes or roots. Weeds shade the irises, retain moisture (leading to rot), and attract slugs. Similarly, cut off dry leaves. If they are diseased (red-bordered spots of heterosporiosis), burn them. Remove faded flowers.

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Planting period

Best planting time September to October
Recommended planting time February to March, July to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained soil

Care

Pruning instructions Cut the flowering stems at the end of the flowering period. Trim the foliage at a 45-degree (113°F) angle halfway up in the summer.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time July to August
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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