Iris germanica Devil Baby

Iris germanica Devil Baby, a type of Lilliput bearded Iris, is a dwarf variety that offers dark burgundy, almost black flowers in April, with a silky texture. Bronze beards complete this ensemble with a mysterious charm. This iris quickly forms beautiful flowering clumps, perfect for creating a nice contrast with white or pink flowers in rockeries and borders.

The 'Devil Baby' Iris is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, forming upright clumps from spring onwards. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars of modest size 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 irises (SDB). 'Devil Baby' will reach a height of 20 cm (8in) when in flower, with numerous buds, and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer ones. It has a dense clump-forming habit. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green and strongly veined. In March floral stems appear, which will produce flowers in April, opening from the top down towards the lower branches. The colouring of this plant is, as always with bearded irises, enhanced by the silky texture of the petals and sepals.

Breeder: Keppel 2005.

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (sunlight, soil), their "respectful" growth habit vis-a-vis irises (low-growing plants or light foliage), and how they complement each other visually (appearance, flowering period). For example, Gauras will cast little shade and will keep the bed attractive throughout summer once the irises have flowered. California Poppies (Eschscholzia), like irises, will be satisfied with dry and poor soil. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also complement irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense planting 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 one can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates that are less likely than tall varieties to be knocked over by wind and rain.

Alongside a path: the entire range can be used, from early dwarfs under 40 cm (16in) to tall irises over 75 cm (30in), flowering in May, including intermediates (in size and earliness) and border irises, medium-sized but flowering with the tall ones. Tall irises, exposed to the wind, may need staking to prevent them from being toppled over.

Edge of a flowerbed: the domain of border irises naturally, but also dwarf varieties depending on the circumstances.

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