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Iris germanica Gracchus

Iris germanica Gracchus
German Iris, Bearded Iris

3,5/5
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Maybe a bit small considering the price of the young plants.

Mélanie, 11/06/2020

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More information

The first Tall Bearded Iris to show an ability to rebloom late in the season, in a mild climate. This very old variety offers modest flowers, with primrose yellow petals surmounting sepals strongly veined with reddish-violet on a white-cream background. It blooms abundantly for a long time in May, and sometimes again in October if the weather allows. The plant is vigorous, with each rhizome generally producing several flower stalks.
Height at maturity
70 cm
Spread at maturity
40 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time August to September
Recommended planting time February to March, July to October
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Flowering time May, October
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Description

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. 

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. 

'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. 

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. 

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.

 

Iris germanica Gracchus in pictures

Iris germanica Gracchus (Flowering) Flowering
Iris germanica Gracchus (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour multicoloured
Flowering time May, October
Inflorescence Cluster

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 70 cm
Spread at maturity 40 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Iris

Species

germanica

Cultivar

Gracchus

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

German Iris, Bearded Iris

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference856381

Planting and care

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.

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Planting period

Best planting time August to September
Recommended planting time February to March, July to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained soil, limestone.

Care

Pruning instructions Cut the flowering stems at the end of the flowering period.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time May, October to November
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
3,5/5
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