Iris After The Rain - Bearded iris

The 'After The Rain' Bearded Iris is a variety with silky colouration, which is reminiscent of a sky after the rain. Its strongly waved petals are a milky white infused with medium blue-violet at the base. The milky white sepals are almost horizontal and the harmonious beards are lavender, tipped with white. The flower emits a pronounced sweet fragrance. In the garden, this plant forms large, highly flowering clumps in spring, between the middle and end of the iris season.

The 'After The Rain' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in spring into elegantly upright clumps, with foliage disappearing in winter. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over centuries, whose controversial origin is debated around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Bearded Irises have European origins. They thrive in calcareous soils and require ample sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to 'cook' in summer in order to bloom. A minimum of six hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'After The Rain' is the result of cross-breeding between the 'Simply Sensational' and 'Blue Trill' varieties. It will reach a height of 90 cm when in bloom, with 2 to 3 flower stalks per rhizome and 8 to 9 flower buds on each stalk. The clump will spread without a theoretical limit over time, with the centre rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped, slightly glaucous green leaves, traversed by parallel veins. In April, flower stalks appear that will produce flowers in May-June, opening from the top down. They consist of 3 upright and wavy petals dominating 3 wide sepals with ample waves along the edges. Their colour is a milky white, with fine grey veins and infused with medium blue-violet in the centre. The beards are lavender, tipped with white. The colour of this plant is, as always with Garden Irises, enhanced by the thick and iridescent texture of the floral parts.

Obtained by Paul Black (USA), 2013. Award: honorable mention in 2015

To accompany irises, choose plants that have similar soil and exposure requirements. Opt for low-growing or light-foliaged species that do not obstruct the light necessary for irises and do not compete, while offering staggered or non-staggered flowering. Gauras, for example, maintain visual appeal throughout the summer and hide the foliage of the Iris after flowering. California Poppies and love-in-a-mist nigellas, which tolerate dry soil, go well with the needs of irises. Hardy geraniums, salvias, and Libertias are also good companions that extend the flowering period. At the base of a wall, the relative shelter from the wind allows for the use of tall irises. If you are concerned about climatic uncertainties, choose intermediate iris varieties, which offer better resistance to wind and rain. Slopes, the base of small trees with light foliage, and terraced edges can be stabilised by a dense planting of old varieties that can remain in place and require little care.

The vegetable garden can be enhanced with a few clumps or borders of irises for cut flowers.