Iris Tanzanian Tangerine - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris 'Tanzanian Tangerine' belongs to the category of "broken colours" Grand Garden Iris, whose flowers are very original. Instead of the usual random streaks observed on the flowers of this type of iris, this one is subtly speckled with wine-coloured spots on the sepals. The beautifully wavy flower combines peach-mandarin upright petals, with orange spotted with wine-coloured red on the sepals. This variety of impressive stature should be placed sheltered from the wind and bad weather that could cause its long flower stems to bend.

Iris 'Tanzanian Tangerine' is a rhizomatous deciduous perennial plant that develops from spring in elegantly upright clumps. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over the centuries, whose controversial origin is argued around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Garden Irises have European origins. They thrive in limestone soil and require plenty of sunlight for their rhizomes to "cook" in summer in order to flower. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'Tanzanian Tangerine' will reach 95 cm (37in) high when in bloom, with several buds per stem. The clump will spread without a theoretical limit over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped, slightly glaucous green leaves, with parallel veins running through them. It is a mid to late season variety. Flowering stems appear in April and bloom in early May, flowers bloom from the top down to the lower branches. The surprising colour of this plant is magnified by the thick and iridescent texture of the floral parts. At the base of each sepal, towards the heart of the flower, there is a small orange beard.

Bred by Brad Kasparek, 1995.

Awards: Honorable Mention (HM) in 1999.

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil...), vegetation (low-growing plants or light foliage), decorative appearance and flowering time. For example, Gaura will provide little shade to irises and keep the bed attractive throughout the summer. Eschscholzia will tolerate dry soil like irises. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also complement irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges will be stabilised by dense plantings of old diploid varieties that require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for care is possible, you can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates that are less likely to be knocked down by wind and rain.

At the foot of a wall, the relative shelter from the wind allows for the use of tall irises. Of course, shorter and early-blooming varieties can be planted in the foreground.

Path border: the realm of early dwarf irises under 40 cm (16in), up to intermediates (in size and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but flower with the tall ones.

Mass planting border: the domain of border irises but also dwarfs, depending on the circumstances.

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, chosen according to the position (foreground, background) and the size of the surrounding plants.

Iris bed, iris garden: the paradise of iris enthusiasts, where the choice of varieties reflects each person's taste. The use of the range of bearded irises allows for two and a half months of flowers in spring. The choice of so-called reblooming irises offers a few additional flowers in late summer or autumn, depending on the climate.

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