Bearded Iris Enchanter

These flowers have a subtle beauty that is sure to impress. The standards soft, mauve purple and cluster tightly. The falls are mauve with a deeper purple blush through the centre of the petal and the beard is golden.

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

They are easy care and will bring plenty of colour to your beds, with a late spring show that bridges the gap between the spring and summer blooms. The spectacular flowers are in colour for around a month, with spot flowers any time, they even make good cut flowers.

The sword like foliage of Bearded Iris 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 remains 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, and while they tend to flower better with a touch of frost, they have been known to grow as far north as Queensland. Bearded Iris flourish where there are cool winters, so Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, parts of NSW, WA and Qld.

Plant your Bearded Iris rhizomes at the soil surface with the top exposed (at the point where the green growth starts). It is best to 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 them happy. Ensure you protect your Bearded Iris plants from slugs and snails who find them delicious.

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.

Bearded Iris make an excellent companion plant for Roses.