Iris germanica Glacier

'Iris germanica 'Glacier'' lives up to its name with its perfectly white flowers, a rather rare colour among tall irises. It offers the sight of large silky and undulating flowers, well-formed, iridescent like ice, slightly fragrant. Only the beards and the tops of the sepals are touched with lemon yellow. Among the tallest, with unquestionable elegance, 'Glacier'  will work wonders next to light blooming plants like the Anthriscus Ravenswing or the Gypsophile paniculata for example.  

The 'Iris 'Glacier'' 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 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.

The 'Glacier' Iris will reach about 90 cm (35in) in height when in bloom. Each rhizome produces a branching stem that bears several flower buds. The clump will spread very quickly and indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer ones. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green in colour, strongly veined. In April floral stems appear that will produce, between mid-May and mid-June in average climates, flowers that open from the top down to the lower branches. The colour of this plant is, as always with Bearded Irises, magnified by the silky and iridescent texture of the petals and sepals. This Glacier variety is pleasantly fragrant.

Obtained by Cayeux 1962 

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.

Tall irises work perfectly at the base of a very sunny wall, sheltered from the wind. They can be planted in the background of shorter and earlier varieties. The vegetable garden can also accommodate a few clumps of irises, as the place dedicated to growing cut flowers.