Iris germanica Kinkajou Shrew

Iris germanica 'Kinkajou Shrew', a tall bearded iris, offers large original flowers  in May-June entirely striped with beetroot red and purple tones on a silvery white background. Each flower is unique. The throat is light gold and the beards are cadmium orange. This iris is tall, the flowers are ruffled and it quickly forms beautiful clumps. A collector's item, ideal for borders, edges, and slopes.

The 'Kinkajou Shrew' iris is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, with a clump-forming habit from spring onwards. It will reach almost 1 m (3ft) in height when in bloom. It spreads in unlimited clumps, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer ones. The sword-shaped foliage is glaucous green and highly veined. In April the flowering stems appear which will bloom in May. The astonishing colouration of this plant is, as always with garden irises, enhanced by the texture of the petals and sepals. It is worth noting that the flowers are also nicely scented.

Does your garden have a sunny area, sheltered from the wind, that is warm and rather dry in summer? This is the ideal location for planting irises! In the shade they will grow but do not flower. They are hardy and do not need winter protection. Well-drained soil is perfect, even if it is rather dry and alkaline. Excessively wet soil promotes rhizome rot. Plant from July to September: this allows the rhizomes to grow sufficiently before lifting, and to develop new roots before winter. For best results they should be planted as soon as they are purchased. Plan to divide the iris every 4 years or so to give them fresh soil.

To accompany the irises, choose plants that thrive in the sun and in dry soil. Choose low-growing or light-foliaged plants that won't cast shade on them, and pay attention to how they complement each other visually (appearance, flowering period). Gauras, for example, meet all three criteria, and their later flowering will keep the bed attractive in summer. Eschscholzias, perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also go well with irises. Against a wall, the relative shelter from the wind allows for the use of tall irises. They can also be planted in the foreground of shorter and earlier varieties. The vegetable garden can also be adorned with a few clumps or borders of irises, as the classic place for the domestic cultivation of cut flowers.

Alongside 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 intermediate-sized (in both height and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but bloom with the tall ones. Tall irises, exposed to the wind, may need staking to prevent them from being knocked down.

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, depending on the position (foreground, background) and the size of the surrounding plants.

Iris bed/garden: the paradise of the iris enthusiast where the choice and arrangement of varieties (shape, colour, fragrance...) reflect each person's taste. The use of the entire range of bearded irises provides two and a half months of flowers in spring. The choice of so-called perpetual irises offers a few additional flowers in late summer or autumn.