Iris germanica Galopade

The 'Galopade' Iris germanica is a worthy descendant of the Great Jacques Coeur Iris, to which it is quite similar in terms of colouring. But it is even more floriferous, slightly earlier in the season and shorter, making it less susceptible to wind and rain. Its large bicoloured flowers, with gentle undulations, are both bright and contrasting, in soft yellow and amethyst violet. A lovely orange beard completes the ensemble. This variety quickly forms very flower-filled clumps.

The 'Galopade' Iris is a perennial rhizomatous plant that develops from spring in elegantly upright clumps, with foliage disappearing in winter. It belongs to the Iris 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. They are plants that thrive in limestone soils and require plenty of sunlight, with the rhizomes needing to 'bake' in summer in order to flower. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'Galopade' will reach a height of 85 cm (34in) when in bloom, with an average of 8 to 9 buds per stem. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer ones. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped leaves, slightly glaucous green, with parallel veins running through them. In April floral stems appear, which will produce beautiful bicoloured flowers in late May or early June, blooming from the top down towards the lower branches. They consist of 3 soft yellow petals at the base, almost white at the edges, dominating 3 almost horizontal sepals, weakly undulated, of a warmer yellow, widely bordered with amethyst violet diffusing towards the centre. The beards are orange at the base, golden yellow at the tips. The colour of this plant, as always with Bearded Irises, is magnified by the thick and iridescent texture of the floral parts.

Obtained by Cayeux, 2018.

To accompany your irises, choose plants based on their similar needs (sunlight, soil), a growth habit that is "respectful" of irises (i.e. non-competitive plants which are shorter, have light foliage), and how they complement each other visually (appearance, flowering period). For example, Gauras won't create shade, and will keep the bed attractive all summer after your irises have finished flowering. California Poppies and Love-in-a-Mist, like irises, will tolerate dry soil in summer. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also accompany irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense plantings of old diploid varieties that can remain in place and require little care.  If the goal is more decorative and access for maintenance is possible, you can choose more modern varieties, e.g. intermediate ones that are less likely than tall ones to be flattened by wind and rain.

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