Iris Big Blue Eyes - Bearded iris

Iris 'Big Blue Eyes' is a stunning variety with gently scented, pure white flowers enhanced with blue, fresh as spring. Its development is quite significant for a "dwarf" iris and it quickly forms charming spring scenes in borders and on slopes. Its qualities have been rewarded with several awards in the U.S.A.

Iris 'Big Blue Eyes' is classified in the horticultural group of standard dwarf bearded irises (SDB). The varieties in this group meet the following criteria: Foliage as tall as the flower stem, upright, height between 25 and 40 cm, flowers from 7.5 cm to 10 cm in diameter. In the SDB group (Standard Dwarf Bearded), hybrids are found between the pumila iris, which is truly dwarf, and the Tall Bearded Iris. These small irises bloom before tall irises, but after true dwarf irises. All these plants belong to the iridaceae family.

The 'Big Blue Eyes' Iris is an excellent variety, awarded several times. It is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, with an upright habit from spring onwards. This cultivar will still reach a height of 35 to 37 cm when flowering, forming a clump that will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The deciduous foliage consists of long, glaucous green, sword-shaped leaves with parallel veins. 'Big Blue Eyes' is classified as a late-flowering dwarf variety. In March, floral stems appear, which will produce flowers blooming from the top to the lower branches in April-May. The colour of this plant is enhanced by the texture of the petals and sepals. Note that the flowers emit a slight musky fragrance.

Breeder: Paul Black, Milwaukee, Oregon, United States, 2005.

Awards: Mid-America in 2006, Honorable Mention in 2006, Award of Merit in 2010.

For rockeries, rocky and dry meadows, limestone plateaus, rocky slopes, or even green roofs, irises offer many options. Border beds are the preferred domain of border irises, as well as dwarf irises, which fit perfectly in these varied contexts.
When choosing plants to accompany irises, it is essential to consider their specific needs such as exposure and soil type, as well as the nature of their vegetation, which must not smother the irises. Opt for low-growing plants or those with light foliage, which also complement irises in terms of their appearance and flowering period. For example, Gauras will not cast shade and will provide an attractive aspect in an iris bed even after flowering, throughout the summer. Aubrietas are also excellent companions. Bellflowers for rockeries and walls, perennial sages, and Libertia also associate very well with them. Slopes and terraced edges will benefit from stabilisation thanks to a dense planting of old diploid varieties, which can remain in place for a long time with little maintenance.