Iris Cherry Garden (SDB)

Iris 'Cherry Garden', is a dwarf variety with ruffled, deep red flowers with a silky texture, in April. Violet beards complete this intensely romantic combination. This iris quickly forms beautiful flowering clumps, perfect for creating a nice contrast with white or pink flowers in rockeries and borders.

Iris 'Cherry Garden' is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant that forms erect clumps 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 irises (SDB). 'Cherry Garden' will reach a height of 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10in) when in bloom, with numerous buds. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the external rhizomes. It has a dense clump habit. The foliage consists of long, sword-shaped, glaucous green leaves with prominent veins. Floral stems appear in March and produce flowers in April, in the middle of the rockery iris season, opening from the top towards the lower branches. The colour is enhanced by the silky texture of the petals and sepals.

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their requirements (exposure, soil, etc.), growth (low-growing or light foliage plants), decorative appearance and flowering time. For example, Gauras will create little shade for the irises and will keep the faded iris bed attractive throughout the summer. Eschscholzia will be happy with the same dry and poor soil as the iris. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also accompany irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilized by dense planting of old diploid varieties that 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.

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 terms of size and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but bloom with the tall ones. Tall irises, exposed to the wind, may need staking to prevent them from falling over.

Massif border: the domain of irises... both border and dwarf, depending on the circumstances.

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, depending on the position (front, back) and the size of the surrounding plants.