Bearded Iris 'Carved Cameo'

Soft apricot, almost peach shades on both the standards and falls, just like the classic cameo brooches. The beard is white, graduating to orange at the centre of the bloom. A lovely soft colour for the garden and a popular florist choice.

Iris ‘Carved Cameo’ has 80cm stems and opens mid season.

Bearded Iris make garden styling a breeze. They offer a rainbow of options to effectively couple and accentuate the existing colours in your patch.

Bearded Iris are easy care and will bring plenty of colour to your beds. Their late spring show bridges the gap between the spring and summers blooms. With a bit of care, the spectacular flowers are in colour for around a month. Bearded Iris are also excellent cut flowers.

The sword like foliage opens in a fan shape. It stands tall and is a handsome feature year round. They are semi evergreen, so in cool climates, when the leaves start to look a little lack lustre in winter, you just cut them back to around 10cm and they will soon re-shoot. In more mild climates the foliage can remain attractive without fuss.

Bearded Iris are easy to grow rhizomes that are well suited to a variety of Australian conditions. They will thrive in any well drained soil in a sunny position. They tend to flower better with a touch of frost, but can get by without it. Bearded Iris thrive where there are cool winters, so Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and parts of NSW, WA and Qld.

Plant your rhizomes at the soil surface with the top exposed (at the point where the green growth starts). Keep the exposed rhizome clear of other plants and weeds. Water to establish, then only if rainfall is low. An annual application of rose fertiliser in late winter or in summer will keep your Bearded Iris happy and healthy. As each flower fades snip or pinch them out, then when the whole stem as finished, remove it at the base.

Our tip: If you are moving Bearded Iris, wait until the flowering has finished, then cut the foliage back to around 3cm before replanting, and replant as soon as possible. Ensure you protect your Bearded Iris plants from slugs and snails.

Bearded Iris make an excellent companion plant for Roses.