Iris germanica Bewitchment - Bearded Iris

The 'Bewitchment' German Iris is a magnificent garden iris, a fairly old variety that plays one of the most beautiful rose tunes that can be found in this flower. The plant is vigorous, and it produces numerous frilly flowers with upright light pink petals slightly tinged with purple at the base and lighter, cream pink veined sepals washed with orchid pink. The orange beard gently wakes up this very beautiful harmony of pink tones. This variety, which blooms early in the iris season, goes well with both pastel and dark shades. Plant in the sun, in beds, on slopes...

The 'Bewitchment' Iris is a rhizomatous, deciduous perennial plant with an erect clumping habit starting in spring. 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 Garden Irises have European origins. 'Bewitchment', a tall variety, will reach 95cm (37in) in height when in flower, with numerous buds. The clump will spread without a theoretical limit over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. It has an elegant, erect habit in a dense clump. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green and heavily veined. In April, flower stems appear. The flowers bloom in May, more or less early depending on the climate, from the top to the lower branches. The colour of this plant is, as always with Garden Irises, magnified by the thick, iridescent texture of the petals and sepals. Note that the flowers emit a sweet, floral, fairly pronounced scent.

Breeder: Ghio, 2004.

To accompany irises, choose plants to associate with them based on their needs (exposure, soil...), their "respectful" vegetation towards irises (low plants or light foliage), and their decorative complementarity (appearance, flowering time). For example, Gaura will cast little shade on the irises and will keep the faded iris bed attractive throughout the summer. California Poppies will be content with a dry, poor soil, just like the irises. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also accompany irises very well, lightening their habit. Slopes and terraced edges will be stabilized by a dense planting of old diploid varieties that can stay in place and require very little care. If the goal is more decorative and easy access for care, choose more modern tetraploid varieties, for example intermediates that are less likely to be knocked over by the wind.

The vegetable garden can be embellished with a few clumps or borders of irises, as it is also the classic place for the family cultivation of cut flowers.