Fragrant irises

Fragrant irises are essentially bearded irises, or Iris germanica. Certain varieties offer a sweet, floral, powdery, fruity or slightly sugary fragrance. This selection also includes a few botanical species, such as the sweet iris and Iris graminea, which are interesting for their scented flowers and wilder appearance.

'English Cottage' is a tall iris prized for its near-white flowers with a soft floral fragrance, and for its ability to rebloom in late summer. 'Deep Dark Secret' offers brilliant violet-blue flowers with velvety notes. The fragrance of 'Buc Joyeux Anniversaire' falls into the soft floral register. Among dwarf irises, the variety 'Smell The Roses' deserves a special place: its small violet-blue flowers with a rose-like fragrance appear in April, then again in September. Iris graminea produces blue and magenta flowers striped with white, whose fruity fragrance evokes plum. Iris pallida 'Variegata' has lightly scented lavender flowers, which contain that powdery, sweet note typical of iris, set against decorative variegated foliage after flowering.

Tall irises suit sunny borders, while dwarf and lilliput irises are better at edges or in rock gardens.