Iris Coralina - Bearded iris

The 'Coralina' Bearded Iris is a highly floriferous variety, quite recent, strongly ruffled and undulated, with a charming colour. Its petals are a soft peach pink, surrounded by rose peach sepals, enhanced by vibrant mandarin-coloured beards. In the garden, this plant forms large, floriferous clumps in the middle of the iris season. It is slightly fragrant.

The 'Coralina' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in spring into elegantly upright clumps, with its foliage disappearing in winter. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over the centuries, whose controversial origin is debated around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Garden Irises have European origins. They thrive in calcareous soils and require plenty of 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.

'Coralina' is derived from the varieties 'Enter the Dragon' x 'Eye for Style'. It will reach a height of 85 cm when in bloom and is very floriferous. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long, wide sword-shaped, slightly glaucous green leaves with parallel veins. In April, floral stems appear that will produce monochrome flowers in May, blooming from the top down. They consist of 3 upright and undulated petals dominating 3 wide sepals with ruffles along the edges. Their colour explores shades of peach, pinker or paler, with fine green veins. The contrasting beards are mandarin orange. The colour of this plant is, as always with Garden Irises, magnified by the thick and iridescent texture of the floral parts.

Obtained by Thomas Johnson (U.S.A) in 2014. Awards: Honorable Mention 2016; Award of Merit 2021.

To accompany irises, choose plants that have similar soil and exposure requirements. Opt for low-growing species or those with light foliage, which do not obstruct the light needed by the irises and do not compete with them, 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 nigellas, which tolerate dry soil, go well with the needs of irises. Perennial 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 have 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 adorned with a few clumps or borders of irises for cut flowers.