Iris germanica Le Bois Du Vent

Iris germanica 'Le Bois Du Vent' is a very recent bearded iris variety that represents a beautiful advancement in the search for monochrome design, through the combination of white petals and almost black violet sepals. Its sturdy flowering stems, less sensitive to the wind, bear gorgeous flowers with a firm texture. This variety beautifully concludes the bearded iris season.

The 'Le Bois Du Vent' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in spring in elegantly upright clumps, with 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 calcareous soils and require ample sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to 'bake' in summer to be able to bloom. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'Le Bois du Vent' will reach a height of 75 cm (30in) when in bloom, with several buds per stem. 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, slightly glaucous green, with parallel veins. In April-May floral stems appear, which will produce beautiful, frilly-bordered flowers between late May and June, blooming from the top down to the lower branches. They consist of 3 bright white upright petals, dominating 3 almost horizontal, very dark violet sepals, bordered with mauve, and featuring a beautiful white macule veined with violet around bright orange beards. The colouring of this plant, as always with Bearded Irises, is magnified by the thick and iridescent texture of the floral parts.

Bourdillon Breeding (France), 2021. ('Magnetisme' x 'Merry Amigo')

To accompany 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.

The vegetable garden can also be adorned with a few clumps or borders of irises, as the place dedicated to growing cut flowers.