Iris germanica Dame Blanche - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica 'Dame Blanche' is a tall Bearded Iris dating back to 1937, difficult to find in horticultural trade. This variety possesses the vigour and wild charm of old irises that grow without care in old gardens: very prolific and undemanding, it produces numerous small white and delicate flowers, slightly disheveled, animated by a white beard tipped with golden yellow. Its early and extended flowering opens the ball for tall irises in spring beds!

The 'Dame Blanche' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in spring in elegantly upright clumps, its 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 alkaline soils and require plenty of sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to 'cook' in summer to be able to flower. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'Dame Blanche' will reach a height of 80 cm (32in) when in bloom, it is a sturdy variety that withstands wind and rain better. Each stem carries more than 8 buds per stem. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer ones. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped leaves, with a slightly glaucous green colour, traversed by parallel veins. In April floral stems appear that will produce small single-shaped flowers at the beginning of May (or late April depending on the climate), blooming from the top to the lower branches. The colour of this plant, as always with Bearded Iris, is magnified by the thick and iridescent texture of the upright petals and the trailing sepals. Some purplish veins are visible at the base of the white sepals.

Bred by Ferdinand Cayeux, 1937.

To accompany the 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. Eschscholzia, like irises, will be satisfied with dry and poor soil. 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. If the goal is more decorative and access for care is possible one can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates that are less likely than tall varieties to be knocked over by wind and rain.

Against a wall, the relative shelter from the wind allows for the use of tall irises. Shorter and earlier varieties can be planted in the foreground.

To line a pathway: use early dwarfs irises under 40 cm (16in), up to intermediates (in size and earliness) and border irises, medium-sized but flowering with the tall ones.

Edge of a flowerbed: the domain of border irises but also dwarfs, depending on the circumstances.

Mixed border: the full range of sizes can be used, selected according to the position (foreground, background) and the size of the surrounding plants.

Iris bed/iris garden: the paradise of the iris lover where the choice of varieties (shape, colour, fragrance) reflects individual taste. The use of the full range of bearded irises allows for two and a half months of flowers in spring. The choice of so-called perpetual varieties offers some additional flowers in late summer or autumn, depending on the climate.

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