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Iris germanica Gracchus
Iris germanica Gracchus
Iris germanica Gracchus
Iris germanica Gracchus
Maybe a bit small considering the price of the young plants.
Mélanie, 11/06/2020
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Dispatch by letter from €3.90.
Delivery charge from €5.90 Oversize package delivery charge from €6.90.
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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
From €5.90 for pickup delivery and €6.90 for home delivery
Express home delivery from €8.90.
From €5.90 for pickup delivery and €6.90 for home delivery
Express home delivery from €8.90.
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The 'Gracchus' Iris germanica is known as an historic Tall Bearded Iris. This very old if not ancient variety, introduced in 1884, was also the first to show an ability to rebloom at the end of the season, if the autumn is mild and sunny enough. While its flowers are modest in size, they are abundantly produced in spring, with each rhizome often producing several flower stalks, which are very short for a tall Iris. The flowers of this small, lively plant are quite charming, with primrose yellow petals over strongly veined reddish-violet sepals on a white-cream background.Â
The 'Gracchus' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in spring as 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 limestone soils and require at least half a day of full sun to flower well.Â
'Gracchus' will hardly exceed 70 cm (28in) in height when flowering. It is a stout variety that withstands rain and inclement weather perfectly. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer ones. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped leaves, a somewhat glaucous green, with parallel veins running through them. This variety flowers in the middle of the Tall Iris season. In April floral stems appear that will produce flowers in May, blooming from the top down to the lower branches.  If it is not lacking in water, sunlight, or nutrients, it will rebloom in October.Â
Obtained by Thomas Ware, 1884.
Note: a hybridization project in the U.S.A has recently attempted to reintroduce disease resistance, hardiness, and vigour to modern Tall Irises, using 'Gracchus' as the founder.
To accompany the 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 base of a wall: the relative shelter from the wind allows for the use of tall irises. Shorter and earlier varieties can be planted in the foreground.
Alongside a path: the realm of dwarf irises under 40 cm (16in), up to intermediate ones (in size and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but flower with the tall ones.Â
Edge of a flowerbed: the domain of border irises but also dwarf varieties, 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/garden: the paradise of iris lovers, where the choice of varieties (shape, colour, fragrance...) reflects each person's taste. The use of the full range of bearded irises allows for two and a half months of flowers in spring. Reblooming irises offers a few additional flowers in late summer or autumn, depending on the climate.
The vegetable garden can be adorned with a few clumps or borders of irises, as the classic place for growing cut flowers.
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Iris germanica Gracchus in pictures
Flowering
Foliage
Plant habit
Botanical data
Does your garden have a sunny area, sheltered from the wind, that is warm and rather dry in summer? This is the ideal location for planting irises! In the shade they will grow but do not flower. They are hardy and do not need winter protection. Well-drained soil is perfect, even if it is rather dry. Iris germanica require alkaline soil: amend yours with lime if it tends to be acidic. Excessively wet soil promotes rhizome rot. Plant from July to September: this allows the rhizomes to grow sufficiently before lifting, and to develop new roots before winter. For best results they should be planted as soon as they are purchased. Plan to divide the iris every 4 years or so to give them fresh soil. They have strong growth and need space to develop and flower well. They are planted with spacing appropriate to the size and vigour of the variety: about 34-50 cm (13-20in) for tall ones (5 to 10 plants per square metre). In a monochrome planting, the rhizomes are planted in a staggered pattern. When mixing colours, it is recommended for the overall aesthetics of the iris bed to plant them in groups of several plants of the same variety. Always consider the direction of rhizome growth by arranging them in a star shape, with buds and leaves facing outward, and spacing them well in relation to other varieties so they have room to develop.
Perpetual irises are prolific and greedy: they require more space, fertile soil, and should not lack water at the end of summer to bloom again.
Planting:
Dig a hole that is wide and deep enough for the roots. Make a large conical mound of soil in the hole, on which the rhizome and spread-out roots are placed. Cover the roots. It is important that the rhizome is left just above the surface of the soil. It should not be planted in a depression (risk of rot), so anticipate that the soil will settle and the iris will sink. In clayey or damp soil, the rhizome should even be left raised on a slight mound of a few centimeters. To make the soil adhere to the roots, lightly compact the soil and water it abundantly after planting. Water 2-3 times if necessary until the plant establishes.
Maintenance:
Keep the soil free of weeds by shallow hoeing, taking care not to damage the rhizomes or roots. Weeds create shade for the irises, retain moisture (causing rot), and attract slugs. Similarly, remove dry leaves. If they are diseased (reddish-brown bordered spots of heterosporiosis), burn them. Remove faded flowers to prevent the plant from wasting energy on fruit formation.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
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The flowering period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.)
It will vary according to where you live:
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands).
It will vary according to where you live:
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.