Iris Pastel Printanier - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris 'Pastel Printanier' is a beautiful garden iris with a fresh appearance, featuring a unique colour pattern on its flower. The erect, pure white petals with a pale lavender edge, dominate the nearly horizontal sepals that are widely bordered in amethyst mauve on a white background. The overall effect is enhanced by yellow-orange beards. The shape of the flowers, their thick and iridescent texture and good branching make this mid-season variety appealing. 

Iris 'Pastel Printanier' is a rhizomatous, deciduous perennial plant with elegantly upright tufts. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over centuries, with its controversial origin being debated around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Bearded Iris have European origins. They thrive in chalky soil and need ample sunlight for their rhizomes to "cook" in summer, in order to bloom. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'Spring Pastel' will reach 85 cm (34in) high when in bloom, with numerous buds per flower stem. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped, slightly glaucous green leaves, with parallel veins. Floral stems appear in April and produce large flowers in May, blooming from the top down. They consist of 3 erect petals dominating 3 nearly horizontal sepals adorned with hairy beards, 3 styles, and 3 stamens. The color is enhanced by the thick and iridescent texture of the floral parts. 

Obtained by Cayeux, 2014. 

To accompany iris, choose companion plants based on their requirements (exposure, soil...), growth (low-growing or light foliage plants, non-competitive plants), decorative appearance and flowering time. For example, Gauras will provide little shade to the irises and keep the faded iris bed attractive all summer. California Poppies and Love-in-a-Mist will tolerate dry soil in summer, just like irises. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also make great companions for irises. Slopes, the base of small trees with light foliage, and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense plantings of old varieties that require little maintenance. If the goal is more decorative and access for care is possible, modern varieties can be chosen that are less likely to be flattened by wind and rain.

The vegetable garden can be embellished with a few clumps or borders of irises for cut flowers.