Iris germanica Flamenco

The 'Flamenco' Iris germanica, a tall bearded variety, offers whirling flowers in a very warm palette in the middle of the season: the petals, which are not fully open, are amber yellow with red infusions on the central vein, standing above a skirt of sepals bordered and dotted with copper red to brown around a white beach crossed by a purple line. Its beautiful golden yellow beards complete a shimmering ensemble. It forms dazzling bouquets that stand out from afar in flowerbeds.

The 'Flamenco' Iris is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, with an upright clump-forming habit from spring onwards. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of many cultivars obtained over the centuries, with debate about their disputed origins revolving around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Bearded Irises have European origins. 'Flamenco' is a tall variety, reaching a height of 95 cm (37in) when in bloom, 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 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 give flowers in May, opening from the top down towards the lower branches. The colouring of this plant is, as always with Bearded Irises, enhanced by the texture of the petals and sepals.

Breeder: Keith KEPPEL, 1977

To complement 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.

At the foot of a wall, the relative shelter from the wind allows for the use of tall irises, which can be planted in the foreground of shorter and earlier varieties.

Alongside a path: the entire range can be used, from the early dwarfs under 40 cm (16in), to the tall irises over 75 cm (30in), flowering in May, through intermediates (in size and earliness) and border irises, medium-sized but flowering with the tall ones. Tall irises, if not staked, are at risk of being laid flat in very windy conditions.

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

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, chosen according to the space (foreground, background) and the size of the surrounding plants.

Iris bed, iris garden: the paradise of the iris enthusiast, where the choice and arrangement of varieties (shape, colour, fragrance...) reflects each individual's taste. The use of the full range of bearded irises allows for two and a half months of flowers in spring. The choice of so-called reblooming irises offers a few additional flowers in late summer or autumn.

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