Iris germanica Ola Kala - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica Ola Kala, sometimes called German Iris or Bearded Iris, is a variety of large Iris that proudly displays its colour: a very bright yellow. Absolutely stunning in its simplicity!

Immortalised by the great impressionists Van Gogh and Monet, Iris germanica, along with Nymphaea, is one of the most famous flowers in the world. It owes its popularity to both to their pictorial works and its unique design, further enhanced by its monochrome colour: a magnificent, very bright yellow.

Originally horticultural and belonging to the Iridaceae family, Iris germanica Ola Kala is a perennial plant with fleshy rhizomes. Its broad, sword-shaped leaves contrast with the crumpled appearance of its flowers, which are perched on sturdy stems. Together, they form a clump with upright stems that reach 90 cm (35 in) in height.

The flowers of Iris germanica have the characteristic of forming three large upright petals and three silky, trailing sepals, called a "beard". Flowering lasts for a few weeks and occurs in May/June.

Maintenance is relatively simple: just cut the flowers as they fade and, once all are faded, cut the stem 10 cm (4 in) from the ground, and in autumn, remove the dry, dead leaves. After a few years, the rhizome you have planted will die, leaving behind beautiful offspring. It will then be necessary to remove the dead part and divide the new rhizomes and replant them in another part of the garden. This operation should be repeated every 4 years or so.

Vigorous and resistant, German Iris thrives in a sunny position, in rather dry, light, and well-drained soil. It is not afraid of cold or summer drought, its only enemy being persistent humidity, especially in heavy soils.

Stunning in a sunny flower bed, it is also highly valued for making bouquets.

In the garden, it easily finds its place in a perennial flower bed, but you can also plant it en masse for a very strong visual effect, alone or accompanied by an Iris of another colour, such as Iris germanica Obsidian. It is also a plant that can occupy a flowery space in the vegetable garden, in the spirit of the French Curé gardens.