Iris germanica Drama Queen

Iris germanica 'Drama Queen', a variety of tall bearded iris, has something theatrical about it. This award-winning variety showcases a range of dark and warm shades, accompanied by highly pronounced veins on the sepals. The burgundy purple of the upright petals is echoed on the sepals, enhanced with cyclamen pink and fawn, surrounding a intensely veined white area. The beards are white at the base, purple, then burnt orange at the tips. Perfect for borders and slopes, it stands out from afar.

The 'Drama Queen' Iris is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, with an upright clumping habit starting in spring. 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. 'Drama Queen' will reach a height of 90 cm (35in) when in flower, with numerous buds, and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer ones. It has an elegant upright habit forming dense clumps. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green and heavily veined. In April floral stems appear and in May the flowers bloom, in the middle of the iris season, from the top down to the lower branches. The colouring of this plant is, as always with Bearded Irises, enhanced by the texture of the petals and sepals. It is worth noting that the flowers are also pleasantly scented.

Obtained by Keppel in 2003.

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. 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, which can be planted in the background of lower and earlier varieties.

Alongside a pathway: the entire range can be used, from dwarf varieties under 40 cm (16in), to tall irises over 75 cm (30in) that bloom in May, including intermediates (in size and earliness) and border irises, medium-sized but flowering with the tall ones. Tall irises, exposed to the wind, may need staking to prevent them from being flattened.

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

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, depending on the space (foreground, background) and the size of the surrounding plants.

Iris bed, iris garden: the paradise of iris enthusiasts where the choice and arrangement of varieties (shape, colour, fragrance...) reflects each individual's taste. The use of all bearded irises allows for two and a half months of flowering in spring. The choice of so-called reblooming irises offers a few additional flowers in late summer or autumn.

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