Iris germanica Harbor Blue - Bearded Iris

The 'Harbor Blue' German Iris is a Tall Bearded Iris dating back to the 1950s that has never disappeared from catalogues. Its colour is an iridescent lavender blue, and it always impresses with its extraordinary stature, its particularly vigorous growth, and its tall yet sturdy flower stems that withstand the wind. In May-June the plant forms a magnificent flowering clump that dominates the flower beds and catches the eye. These qualities have earned it numerous awards. It is a mid to late season variety whose generous flowering will enhance that of the first red peonies, for example. 

The 'Harbor Blue' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in spring in elegantly upright clumps, with its foliage disappearing in winter. It belongs to the Iris family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over the centuries, debate about whose origins revolves around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Bearded Irises have European origins. These are plants that thrive in alkaline soils and crave sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to 'cook' in summer in order to bloom. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'Harbor Blue' will reach a height of between 1.15m (4ft) and 1.20m (4ft) when in bloom, with numerous floral buds per stem. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, as the central rhizomes become bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage, which is abundant, consists of long and wide sword-shaped leaves, with a slightly glaucous green colour and parallel veins. In April floral stems appear, which will produce large flowers (at least 6 per stem) blooming progressively from the top down to the lower branches in May-June. The colour of this plant, as always with Garden Irises, is magnified by the thick and iridescent texture of the petals and sepals.

Obtained by Robert Schreiner, 1954 - Awards: Honorable Mention in 1955; Judges' Choice in 1956; Award of Merit in 1957; Award of Merit (A.G.M) from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1958. 

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 will tolerate dry soil in summer, just like irises. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also accompany irises very well. Slopes, the base of small trees with light foliage, and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense planting of old 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, 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.