Iris germanica Autumn Encore - Bearded Iris

The 'Autumn Encore' Germanica Iris is a lovely variety of Remontant Garden Iris, which has the ability to produce two flowerings in the year: the first in spring, and the second in late summer or early autumn, if the plant has rich soil and an adequate water supply to prepare for its second flowering.  This medium-sized variety offers beautiful bicoloured flowers, in purple and white, stunning in spring beds with peonies, and magnificent with the warm colours of the late season. 

'Autumn Encore' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in elegantly upright clumps from spring, with its foliage disappearing in winter. It belongs to the family of Iridaceae. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over centuries, with controversial origins discussed around the number of chromosomes in potential ancestors. It is worth noting that Garden Irises have European origins. They are plants that thrive in calcareous soils and require at least half a day of full sun to flower well. 

'Autumn Encore' will reach approximately 90cm (35in) in height when in bloom, and it is a variety that may require staking. The clump will spread without theoretical limits over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favor of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped leaves, with a slightly glaucous green colour and parallel veins. It emerges from the ground in spring and disappears in winter. This variety blooms for the first time towards the beginning of the Garden Iris season, in May and then in late September. Its floral stems bear several flowers that open from the top to the lower branches.  The colour of this plant is described as follows: 3 upright petals ranging from beetroot red to imperial purple on a white base; 3 drooping sepals with a white base and a wide border mixing beetroot red and imperial violet, crossed by a thin central band of the same colour; 3 white beards at the base, tipped with yellow. As always with Garden Irises, the colour is enhanced by the texture of the petals and sepals.

Obtained by Ken Mohr, 1977 

To accompany the irises, choose plants to associate based on their needs (exposure, soil...), their "respectful" growth with irises (low-growing or light-foliage plants, non-competitive plants), and their decorative complementarity (appearance, flowering time). For example, Gauras will cast little shade on irises and will keep the iris bed attractive throughout the summer. California Poppies and Love-in-a-Mist will tolerate dry soil in summer, just like irises. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also complement irises very well. Slopes, the base of small trees with light foliage, and terraced edges will 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 care is possible, choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates that will be less likely than tall irises to be literally flattened by wind and rain.

The vegetable garden can be adorned with a few clumps or borders of irises, as it is also the place dedicated to growing cut flowers.