Iris germanica Batik - Bearded Iris

The 'Batik' Iris Germanica, also known as the tall bearded iris, offers in May some truly unique flowers: deep purple, they are entirely marked with white stripes or dots, each flower being differently striated. It blooms early in the season. Its growth is vigorous, and it quickly forms beautiful clumps. Perfect for borders, mass plantings, and slopes.

The 'Batik' Iris is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, with upright tufts from spring onwards. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained for centuries, with a controversial origin that revolves around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It is worth noting that garden irises have European origins. 'Batik' is of modest size, reaching a height of 75cm (30in) when in bloom, with numerous buds, and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer ones. The 'Batik' Iris has an elegant upright habit in a dense clump. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green and heavily veined. In April, floral stems appear, which will produce flowers in May, opening from the top towards the lower branches. The colour of this plant, as always with garden irises, is enhanced by the texture of the petals and sepals. It is worth noting that the flowers are also fragrant.

Do you have a sunny, warm, and rather dry location in summer?
This is the ideal location for planting irises! In shade, they will grow but not flower. They can be grown in all regions. Hardy, they do not require winter protection. Well-drained soil is perfect, even if it is rather dry and chalky. Excessively wet soil promotes rhizome rot. Plant from July to September. This allows the rhizomes to grow sufficiently before lifting, and to 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 provide them with fresh soil. They have vigorous growth and require space to develop and flower well. They are planted with spacing appropriate to the size and vigour of the variety: about 34-50cm (13-20in) for tall varieties (5 to 10 plants per square metre). In a monochrome planting, the rhizomes are planted in a staggered pattern. To create a mix of colours, it is advisable for the overall aesthetic of the iris bed to plant them in groups of several plants of the same variety. Always consider the direction of rhizome growth by arranging them in a star shape, with buds and leaves facing outward, and spacing them well from other varieties to allow them room to grow.

Planting

Dig a hole that is wide and deep enough. Create a conical pile of soil on which to place the rhizome and spread out the roots. Cover the roots. It is important that the rhizome is left just above the soil surface. It should not be planted in a depression (risk of rot), so anticipate that the soil will settle and the iris will sink. In clay or moist soil, the rhizome should even be left elevated on a slight mound of a few centimetres. To make the soil adhere to the roots, lightly tamp the soil and water abundantly immediately after planting. Water 2-3 times if necessary until the plant establishes.

Maintenance:

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

To accompany irises, choose companion plants based on their requirements (exposure, soil...), their "respective" growth habit (low-growing or light foliage) and their decorative complementarity (appearance, flowering time). For example, Gaura plants provide little shade to irises and keep the iris bed attractive throughout the summer. Eschscholzia plants, like irises, are content with dry and poor soil. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also complement irises well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilized by dense plantings of old diploid varieties that can remain in place and require little care. For a more decorative purpose and with access for care, modern varieties can be chosen, such as intermediate irises that are less likely than tall varieties to be toppled over.

At the base of a wall, the relative shelter from the wind allows for the use of tall irises. Of course, they can also be planted in the foreground with shorter and early-flowering varieties.

Border: the entire range of irises can be used, from early dwarfs under 40cm (16in), to tall irises over 75cm (30in), blooming in May, including intermediate varieties (in size and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but flower with the tall ones. Tall irises, being exposed to the wind, may need staking to prevent them from being toppled.

Mass planting: the domain of irises... for borders but also for dwarfs, depending on the circumstances.

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

Iris bed, iris garden: the paradise for iris enthusiasts, where the choice and arrangement of varieties (form, colour, fragrance...) reflects individual taste. The use of the entire range of bearded irises allows for two and a half months of flowers in spring. Choosing remontant irises offers a few additional flowers in late summer or autumn.

The vegetable garden can be enhanced with a few clumps or borders of irises, as it is also a classic place for growing cut flowers in a family setting.