Iris germanica Belle Surprise - Bearded Iris

Iris 'Belle Surprise' brings an unexpected colour to the world of Great Garden Irises, with a bold combination of mauve, greenish-beige, purple, and tan tones. The shape of the swirling flowers is charming, their thick and iridescent substance plays with the light, and they are numerous to succeed each other on robust floral stems. This very beautiful variety blooms in the heart of the flowering season of Bearded Irises, in May.

The 'Belle Surprise' Iris is a perennial rhizomatous plant that develops from spring in elegantly upright tufts, with its foliage disappearing in winter. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over centuries, whose controversial origin is discussed around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It is worth noting that Garden Irises have European origins. They are plants of limestone soils eager for sun, whose rhizomes must 'cook' in summer to be able to flower. A minimum of 6 hours of sun per day is generally required.

'Belle Surprise' will reach a height of 80cm (32in) when in bloom, with an average of 8 buds per stem. The tuft will spread without a theoretical limit over time, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped leaves, a slightly glaucous green, traversed by parallel veins. In April, floral stems appear that will produce in May large-sized flowers with ample undulations, blooming from the top to the lower branches. They consist of 3 upright petals, with light mauve colour turning into greenish-beige on the edges, dominating 3 horizontal sepals, violine with tan borders, adorned with long golden bronze beards. The colour of this plant is, as always with Garden Irises, magnified by the thick and iridescent texture of the floral pieces.

Breeding by Cayeux, 2022. (? x 'Nelly Tardivier').

To accompany iris, choose plants to associate based on their needs (exposure, soil...), their vegetation that is "respectful" of irises (low plants or light foliage, non-competitive plants), and their decorative complementarity (appearance, flowering date). For example, Gauras will provide little shade to the irises and will keep the faded iris bed attractive all summer. California Poppies and Love-in-a-mist will tolerate a dry soil in summer, just like the iris. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also accompany irises very well. Slopes, the base of small trees with light foliage, and terraced borders will be stabilized by a dense planting of old varieties that can remain in place and require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for care is possible, one can choose more modern varieties, for example intermediates that are less likely than tall ones to be literally knocked down by wind and rain.

The vegetable garden can be adorned with a few tufts or borders of irises, as it is also the place dedicated to the cultivation of cut flowers.