Iris germanica Golden Immortal - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica Golden Immortal is a variety of tall, sun-loving, rapid, sometimes perpetual garden iris, with a fairly pronounced musky scent. Its flower is nicely shaped, with close undulations and serrated edges. The upright standard petals of barium yellow surmount sepals of Naples yellow, whiter around the edges and around the light orange beards. This perennial will quickly form very prolific clumps in spring.

The 'Golden Immortal' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in spring into elegantly upright clumps, with its foliage disappearing in winter. 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. They are plants that thrive in alkaline soils and require ample sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to 'cook' in summer in order to bloom. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

The 'Golden Immortal' iris will reach a height of 95 cm (37in) when in bloom, making it a tall variety that is susceptible to wind and rain. 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, with a slightly glaucous green colour and parallel veins. In April, floral stems appear that will produce large, well-proportioned, and slightly undulated flowers in May, which open from the top down towards the lower branches. This variety blooms early in the season for tall irises, and can bloom again in September-October if the summer is not too dry and they are in rich soil. The colour of this plant, as is the case with all Bearded Irises, is enhanced by the thick and iridescent texture of the floral parts. The flowers have a musky fragrance, which is quite pronounced.

Sutton breeding, 1996.

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 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 adorned with a few clumps or borders of irises, as the classic place for growing cut flowers.