Iris germanica Hello Darling

Iris germanica 'Hello Darling' is an early-flowering, floriferous iris that offers beautifully formed bicoloured flowers in a pastel range, slightly fragrant. The finely veined petals in wine red give this variety a pleasant touch of originality. The plant forms tall and strong floral stems adorned with numerous buds. This iris blooms in spring in flowerbeds and rock gardens, for several weeks.

The 'Hello Darling' Iris is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant. It forms an upright clump from spring, and its foliage disappears in winter. The Iris germanica 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. 'Hello Darling' is a tall variety that will reach 90 cm (35in) in height when in bloom, with a strong floral stem, supported by a rhizome, that typically carries 9 flower buds. The clump will spread rapidly and indefinitely over time, as the central rhizomes become bare in favour of the outer ones. The foliage consists of long, glaucous green, heavily veined sword-shaped leaves. In April the floral stems appear and in May, earlier or later depending on the climate, the flowers bloom from the top down towards the lower branches. Each flower consists of 3 white petals washed with peach pink at the base, cream styles, and 3 sepals with radiating lines of a wine-red colour. Their base is almost white, they are peach-coloured, and have a fine nearly white border. Mandarin beards with white tips adorn the base of the sepals. The pastel colouring of this plant is, as always with bearded Irises, enhanced by the silky and iridescent texture of the petals and sepals. This variety has a sweet sugary fragrance.

Obtained by Thomas Johnson, 2014.

Awards: Honorable Mention in 2017.

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.