Iris germanica Flaming Dragon - Bearded Iris

The 'Flaming Dragon' Iris germanica can still be found in some old gardens, where its vigorous clumps topped with yellow and violet corollas catch the eye. Its modest-sized flowers, with simple and graceful lines, are far removed from the huge frilly corollas of modern varieties. This variety possesses all the characteristics of diploid irises: not very tall, prolific, and undemanding.

The 'Flaming Dragon' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops into elegantly upright clumps from spring, with its foliage disappearing in winter. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over the centuries, whose disputed origin revolves 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 ample sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to 'bake' in summer to be able to bloom. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required. Note: there is another variety named Flaming Dragon, with orange flowers, obtained around 1965 by Orville Fay.

'Flaming Dragon' will reach approximately 60 cm (24in) in height when in bloom and would now be classified as a border iris. Its floral stems are slender, with few branches, and bear some elongated and pointed buds at the top, shaped like ogives. These short stems are less susceptible to wind and rain. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer ones. The abundant foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, slightly glaucous green, with parallel veins running through them. The flowers, measuring about 6.5 cm (3in) in height, open from the top downwards to the lower branches. The upright petals are light yellow in colour, surmounting fairly narrow sepals veined with violet on a white background, with a fine yellow border. The beard is yellow. Mid-season flowering, in May.

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. Eschscholzia, like irises, will be satisfied with a dry summer soil, just like irises. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also pair well with irises. 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, one can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates, which are less likely to be flattened by wind and rain.

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