Iris germanica Déguisement

Iris germanica 'Déguisement' is a bearded iris of an unusual colour, combining a mix of rather strange shades that will delight enthusiasts of curiosities such as 'Burnt Toffee'. A blend of grey, mauve, olive brown, and beige adorns its large and beautifully undulated flower. The shape of the flowers, their thick and iridescent substance, as well as good branching, make this mid-season variety quite enticing.

The 'Déguisement' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in elegantly upright clumps from spring, with 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 calcareous soils and require ample sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to "cook" in summer to be able to bloom. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'Déguisement' will reach a height of 80 cm (32in) when in bloom, with numerous 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 coloor and parallel veins. In April floral stems appear, which will produce large and heavily undulated flowers in May, blooming from the top down towards the lower branches. They consist of 3 upright petals, with a lavender-grey colour infused with beige at the edges, dominating 3 horizontal sepals of medium olive brown generously infused with mauve towards the orange-bronze beards. The colour of this plant, as always with Bearded Irises, is magnified by the thick and iridescent texture of the floral parts.

Obtained by Cayeux, 2022 ('South Sea' x 'Nelly Tardivier').

To accompany your irises, choose plants based on their similar needs (sunlight, soil), a growth habit that is "respectful" of irises (i.e. non-competitive plants which are shorter, have light foliage), and how they complement each other visually (appearance, flowering period). For example, Gauras won't create shade, and will keep the bed attractive all summer after your irises have finished flowering. California Poppies and Love-in-a-Mist, like irises, will tolerate dry soil in summer. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also accompany irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense plantings of old diploid varieties that can remain in place and require little care.  If the goal is more decorative and access for maintenance is possible, you can choose more modern varieties, e.g. intermediate ones that are less likely than tall ones to be flattened by wind and rain.

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