Iris germanica Blessed Again - Bearded Iris

The 'Blessed Again' German Iris is a particularly cheerful intermediate garden iris due to its yellow bitone colour, but also because it is capable of reblooming in autumn if it does not lack water or food at the end of summer. Intermediate irises are shorter than Tall Bearded Irises, but they bloom at the same time in spring. This 'Blessed Again' iris has vigorous growth and quickly forms beautiful, heavily blooming clumps. Ideal for borders or slopes, including in windy gardens.

The 'Blessed Again' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial that forms upright clumps. Its deciduous foliage disappears in autumn and reappears in spring. This plant belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over the centuries, whose controversial origin is discussed around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Garden Irises have European origins.

The 'Blessed Again' Iris will reach approximately 60cm (24in) in height when flowering. Each rhizome produces one to two branching stems that bear numerous flower buds. The clump spreads very quickly, with no theoretical limit over time, as the central rhizomes become bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green in colour, strongly veined. In April, floral stems appear, which will produce flowers in May, in the middle of the Tall Iris season, blossoming from the top to the lower branches. A second flowering may occur in October if the conditions are met. Each flower, of moderate size, is composed of 3 upright petals in a fairly bright yellow, 3 drooping sepals in a very pale cream yellow, and 3 orange beards with pale yellow tips. The bright colour of this plant is, as always with Garden Irises, magnified by the silky texture of the petals and sepals.

Obtained by Franck Jones, 1976 - Award: Honorable Mention in 1978

To accompany irises, choose plants to associate with them based on their needs (exposure, soil...), their "respectful" vegetation towards 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 deflowered iris bed attractive throughout the summer. California Poppies and Love-in-a-Mist will tolerate the same dry soil as the iris in summer. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also accompany irises very well. Slopes, the base of small trees with light foliage, and terraced edges 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, you can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates, which are less likely than tall irises to be literally knocked to the ground by wind and rain.

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