Iris germanica Crimson Tiger

Iris germanica 'Crimson Tiger' is an unusual, variegated variety with flowers randomly streaked and spotted with red tones on a light copper to fawn background, each with its own personality. The overall effect is an appealing blend of warm and soft tones. It is a not very tall, moderately vigorous, mid-season variety, perfect for ornamental borders, beds, and sunny rockeries.

The 'Crimson Tiger' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that grows from spring in elegantly upright clumps, with foliage disappearing in winter. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of many cultivars obtained over the centuries, with debate about their disputed origins revolving around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Bearded Irises have European origins. They are plants that thrive in calcareous soils and require plenty of sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to 'cook' during summer to be able to flower. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'Crimson Tiger' will reach a height of 75 cm when in bloom, with several buds per flower stem. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer ones. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped leaves, of a slightly glaucous green colour, traversed by parallel veins. In April-May floral stems appear, which will produce flowers in May-June, earlier or later depending on the climate, that bloom from the top down towards the lower branches. The surprising colouring of this plant is, as always with Bearded Irises, enhanced by the thick and iridescent texture of the upright petals and the trailing sepals. At the base of each sepal sits a beautiful velvety beard of golden copper colour.

Obtained by Gerald Richardson, 1996.

To complement irises, choose plants based on their needs (sunlight, soil), their "respectful" growth habit vis-a-vis irises (low-growing plants or light foliage), and how they complement each other visually (appearance, flowering period). For example, Gauras will cast little shade and will keep the bed attractive throughout summer once the irises have flowered. California Poppies (Eschscholzia), like irises, will be satisfied with dry and poor soil. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also complement irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense planting of old diploid varieties that can remain in place and require little care.

The vegetable garden can be adorned with a few clumps or borders of irises, as the classic place for growing cut flowers.