Iris germanica Masque Noir

Iris germanica 'Masque Noir' is a very popular variety of garden Iris, and rightly so: the plant offers unique and remarkably contrasting flowering in yellow and black, as well as a sturdy flower stem that is less sensitive to bad weather. The large flowers are thick and they succeed each other over a beautiful period on each flower spike. It is a mid-season variety. Tall irises, with great sobriety, are excellent perennials for slopes and dry soil.

The 'Masque Noir' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in clumps from spring, 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 calcareous soils and require sun, with their rhizomes needing to 'cook' in summer in order to bloom. A minimum of 6 hours of sun per day is traditionally required.

'Masque noir' is a modest-sized variety, reaching 75 cm (30in) in height when in bloom. Its flower stem carries 8 flower buds. 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 running through them. In April floral stems appear, which will produce beautiful-sized flowers in May, of an ideal shape, slightly undulating, opening from the top down towards the lower branches. They consist of 3 upright butter yellow petals with a fine brown edge, 3 almost horizontal sepals of a velvety aubergine to black, and 3 orange beards bordered by small white streaks. The colour of this plant is, as always with Bearded Irises, magnified by the thick and velvety texture of the floral parts.

Bred by Cayeux, 2020.

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.