Iris germanica Good Show - Bearded Iris

The 'Good Show' Iris germanica is a beautiful and large bearded iris that blooms profusely, producing 7 to 9 buds per stem. Its round and undulating flowers display a beautiful pure orange hue. The wide sepals are highlighted in the centre by a slightly lighter area, streaked with cream, around minimal beards. They exude a sweet floral fragrance. This particularly vigorous and prolific variety quickly forms beautiful clumps that are covered in flowers in the middle of the season. Ideal in flowerbeds and on sunny slopes, contrasting with purple or blue flowers.

The 'Good Show' Iris is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant with an upright clumping habit whose growth starts in spring. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of many cultivars obtained over the centuries, with debate about their controversial origins revolving around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Bearded Irises have European origins. 'Good Show' will reach a height of 90 cm (35in) when in bloom, with numerous buds, and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favor 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 which will produce fully bloomed flowers in May, progressing from the top downwards to the lower branches. The colour of this plant is, as always with Bearded Irises, enhanced by the satin texture of the petals and sepals. It should be noted that the flowers are also fragrant.

To accompany the irises, choose plants to associate with them 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.

At the base of a wall, the relative shelter from the wind allows for the use of tall irises. They can of course be planted in the background of shorter and earlier varieties.

To line a pathway: the entire range can be used, from early dwarf irises less than 40 cm (16in) tall, to tall irises over 75 cm (30in) that bloom in May, including intermediate varieties (in size and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but bloom with the tall ones. Tall irises exposed to strong winds may need staking to prevent them from being knocked over.

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

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

Iris bed/iris garden: the paradise of the iris enthusiast, where the choice and arrangement of varieties (shape, colour, fragrance...) reflects personal taste. The use of the entire range of bearded irises allows for two and a half months of blooming in spring. Choosing perpetual irises offers some additional flowers in late summer or autumn.

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