Iris germanica Katty Petts - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica Katty Petts, a type of lilliput iris, forms beautiful small clusters of flowers in April. Its bicoloured flowers combine two shades of blue: the standard petals of medium blue overhang sepals of the same hue, darkened with a large violet spot under the pale blue beards. A brilliant variety, bringing a very blue touch to flowerbeds, slopes, and rockeries.

The 'Katty Petts' Iris is already an ancient variety with a long career in gardens, guaranteeing robustness and reliability. It is a perennial rhizomatous and deciduous plant, forming upright clumps from spring onwards. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many modest-sized cultivars that appeared in the 1950s. Originally, the 'lilliput' category referred to the cross-breeding of an Iris pumila and a tall iris. This term generally now designates the category of standard dwarf irises (SDB). 'Katty Petts' will reach a height of 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12in) when in bloom, with numerous buds, and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer ones. It has a dense clump-forming habit. The foliage consists of long, glaucous, and highly veined sword-shaped leaves. In March floral stems appear, which will give rise to flowers in April, in the middle of the rockery iris season, blooming progressively from the top to the lower branches. The colour of this plant is, as always with bearded irises, magnified by the silky texture of the petals and sepals.

Breeder: Taylor, 1979.

To accompany the 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. 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

To line a pathway: the entire range can be used, from early dwarfs 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 blooming with the tall ones. If exposed to much wind, tall irises may be knocked over if not staked.

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

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