Iris Sirop de Framboise

Iris germanica 'Sirop de Framboise', also known as the tall bearded iris, has large, highly fragrant, wavy flowers in May-June. This variety will captivate you with its very rich colour, producing stems that resemble bouquets. Its growth is vigorous, quickly forming beautiful clumps. Ideal for borders, edges, and slopes.

Iris 'Sirop de Framboise' is a perennial, deciduous rhizomatous plant that forms upright clumps from spring. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars that have been obtained over centuries, with its controversial origins debated around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It is worth noting that garden irises have European origins. 'Sirop de Framboise' can reach 80 cm (32in) high when in bloom, and the clump can spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer ones. This iris forms an elegant upright, dense clump of long, sword-shaped, glaucous green and highly veined leaves. Floral stems appear in April and bloom from the top towards the lower branches in May. The colour is enhanced by the texture of the floral parts. The petals are dark pink, leaning towards mauve, and the sepals are speckled with dark raspberry pink on a yellow background, adorned with mustard beards. It should be noted that the flowers are also highly fragrant.

Do you have a sunny, warm location, rather dry in summer?
This is the ideal spot to plant irises! In shade, they may grow but won't flower. They are hardy and do not need winter protection. Well-drained soil is perfect, even if it is rather dry and chalky. Excessively moist soil promotes rhizome rot. Plant them from July to September to allow the rhizomes enough time to grow and develop new roots before winter. They should be planted immediately after purchase for best results. Plan to divide the irises every four years or so to give them fresh soil. They have vigorous growth and require space to develop and flower well. They should be planted with spacing appropriate to the size and vigour of the variety: approximately 34-50 cm (13-20in) for tall irises. In a monochrome planting, the rhizomes are planted in a staggered pattern. For a mix of colours, plant them in groups of several plants of the same variety. Always consider the direction of rhizome growth by arranging them in a star shape, with buds and leaves facing outward, and spacing them well away from other varieties to allow them room to grow.

Planting

Dig a hole that is wide and deep enough. Create a conical mound of soil on which to place the rhizome and spread out the roots. Cover the roots but leave the rhizome slightly exposed at the surface of the soil. It should not be planted in a dip (risk of rot), so anticipate that the soil will settle and the iris will sink. In clayey or moist soil, the rhizome should even be left elevated on a slight mound. To ensure the soil clings to the roots, lightly firm the soil and thoroughly water after planting. Water if necessary 2-3 times until the plant establishes.

Maintenance:

Keep the soil free from weeds by shallow hoeing, taking care not to damage the rhizomes or roots. Weeds create shade for the irises, retain moisture (leading to rot), and attract slugs. Also, remove dry leaves. If they are diseased (red-edged spots from heterosporiosis), burn them. Remove faded flowers.

The vegetable garden can be planted with a few clumps or borders of irises for cutting.