Iris germanica Above The Rim - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica 'Above The Rim' is a quite spectacular garden iris that offers an interesting combination of colour and patterns. Its large, heavily undulated flowers display petals ranging from yellow to white, gently resting on multicoloured sepals widely maculated with white around the golden yellow beards. This award-winning, rather late variety can re-bloom in late summer in mild climates and its flowers are pleasantly fragrant. Plant its rhizomes in full sun on a slope or in a flowerbed.

The 'Above The Rim' Iris is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, with an upright tufted habit from spring onwards. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over the centuries, whose controversial origins revolve around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It is worth noting that Garden Irises have European origins.

The 'Above The Rim' iris will reach 90cm (35in) in height when in bloom, with 8 to 10 buds per stem. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. It has an elegant upright habit in a dense tuft. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green and heavily veined. It disappears in winter and regrows in spring. In April, floral stems appear, which will give rise to flowers in May-June, opening from the top towards the lower branches. They consist of 3 upright petals in yellow, lighter on the edges, and 3 drooping sepals with a white base and a wide blue, purple and brown gradient border. The shoulders are yellow veined with purple, and the beards are yellow-orange. The colour of this plant is, as always with Garden Irises, enhanced by the texture of the petals and sepals, which are particularly thick here. The fragrance of the flowers is slightly spicy. In favourable climates, if it is not lacking in water or nutrients, this Above The Rim variety can produce new floral stems in September or October.

Obtained by Sutton in 2010.

Award: Honorable Mention in 2012

To accompany irises, choose plants to associate with them based on their needs (exposure, soil, etc.), their "respectful" growth habit towards irises (low-growing plants or light foliage), and their decorative complementarity (appearance, flowering time). For example, Gaura will provide little shade to irises and keep the irises' deflowered bed attractive throughout the summer. California poppies and love-in-a-mist will be satisfied with a dry and poor soil, just like irises. Perennial geraniums (sanguineum), salvias, and Libertias also pair well with irises. Shrub roses are also good companions for irises. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilized by dense planting of old varieties that can remain in place and require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for maintenance is possible, more modern varieties can be chosen, such as intermediates that are less likely to be knocked over than taller ones.

The vegetable garden can be embellished with a few clumps or borders of irises, as it is also the domain of cut flowers.