Iris germanica Mistigri - Bearded Iris

'Mistigri' is a variety of intermediate bearded iris that blooms in spring in a palette of very fresh tones, blending light blue, white and violet-blue. Its undulate flowers open on a sturdy flower stem, less sensitive to wind. It finds its place at the front of perennial borders, along a path edge or in a large pot.

The Intermediate Bearded Irises form a group situated between dwarf bearded irises and tall bearded irises of gardens. Their height ranges from 41 to 70 cm, they flower after the dwarf irises, but before or at the beginning of the season of the tall bearded irises. Their flower stems bear well-formed flowers, shorter and often less heavy than those of tall irises. 'Mistigri' reaches 55 to 56 cm in height when in flower. It can do without staking in a not too windy situation. The flower stems carry several buds that open successively from top to bottom.

This iris belongs to the Iridaceae family. Iris × germanica refers to a group of bearded irises cultivated for a long time in European gardens. The plant is perennial and grows from a fleshy, horizontal rootstock that slowly elongates at the soil surface. It produces leaves arranged in a fan, glaucous green, long, narrow and pointed, which persist more or less in winter. Flowering occurs between late April and May depending on the climate. The flower has a plicata pattern, a term used for irises whose petals are veined, edged or dotted with a more intense colour. In 'Mistigri', the three upright tepals are light blue, the three trailing sepals are white in the centre, traversed by blue veins that intensify towards the margin. The edge of the sepals shows a medium violet-blue, more visible on the undulations. The beard is blue, short and velvety. In this variety, the scent is present, more noticeable in mild weather.

'Mistigri' is a cultivar by Richard Cayeux, registered in 1993 under the seedling number 8709 A. It comes from a cross between 'Purple Fringe' and 'Spinning Wheel'. This selection shows a plicata-type pattern: its light sepals are marked with veins and a coloured edge.

Plant 'Mistigri' in a sunny border, at the front of a bed or along a path. Leave the top of the rootstock exposed and avoid placing plants that are too spreading at its base. Combine it for example with Allium aflatunense 'Purple Sensation', with Nepeta faassenii 'Cat's Pajamas', with Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'. Slip a few Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails' between the clumps, making sure the rootstocks are clear.