Iris germanica Juicy Rumours

Iris germanica 'Juicy Rumours' is a large and elegant bearded iris: its flowers are superb, beautifully fringed, combining champagne-coloured petals washed with mauve in the centre and at the base, with trailing sepals also washed with mauve and pale grey, but strongly veined with tender red-violet. The lighter base of the sepals features discreet apricot-coloured beards that warm up this fruity harmony. This magnificent variety blooms in the middle of the iris season, in May.

The 'Juicy Rumours' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops from spring in elegantly upright clumps, 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 plenty of sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to 'bake' in summer to be able to flower. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

 'Juicy Rumours' will reach 90 cm (35in) in height when in flower, with several buds per stem. The clump spreads quickly and indefinitely over time, as the central rhizomes become bare in favour of the outer ones. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped leaves, a slightly glaucous green, traversed by parallel veins. In April floral stems appear that will produce well-distributed flowers in mid-May, blooming from the top downwards to the lower branches. As always with Bearded Irises, the refined colouring of this plant is enhanced by the iridescent texture of the petals and sepals. It should be noted that the flower is slightly fragrant.

Bred by Barry Blyth, 2005.

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