Iris Huckleberry Fudge

Iris 'Huckleberry Fudge', also known as the tall bearded iris, has large, fragrant flowers in May-June with chocolate brown petals, and sepals speckled with chocolate and blue-violet on a white background. The beard is mustard. This variety will captivate you with its originality and delicious colour. Its growth is vigorous, and it quickly forms beautiful clumps. Ideal in flower beds, borders, and on slopes.

Iris 'Huckleberry Fudge' is a rhizomatous, deciduous perennial plant with an upright growth habit from spring onwards. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars that have been obtained for centuries, and its controversial origin is debated around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It is worth noting that Bearded Irises have European origins. 'Huckleberry Fudge' will reach 90 cm (35in) high when in bloom, and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer ones. Iris 'Huckleberry Fudge' grows in elegant, upright, dense clumps of long sword-shaped, glaucous green and highly veined leaves. Floral stems appear in April and bloom in May, opening from the top down. The colour is enhanced by the texture of the petals and sepals. It is worth noting that the flowers are also very fragrant.

Do you have a sunny, warm location, rather dry in summer?
This is the ideal location for irises! In shade, they grow but do not flower. They are hardy and do not require winter protection. Well-drained soil is perfectly suitable, even if it is rather dry and chalky. Excessively wet soil promotes rhizome rot. Plant from July to September to allow the rhizomes enough time to grow and develop new roots before winter. They should be planted as soon as they are purchased for the best results. Plan to divide the irises every 4 years or so to give them fresh soil. They have strong growth and require space to develop and flower well. Plant with spacing appropriate to the size and vigour of the variety: about 34-50 cm (13-20in) for tall varieties. In a monochrome planting, rhizomes are planted in a staggered pattern. For a mix of colours, plant them in groups of several plants of the same variety. Always consider the direction of rhizome growth, arranging them in a star shape with buds and leaves facing outward, and spacing them well away from other varieties to allow them room to grow.

Planting

Dig a hole that is wide and deep enough. Create a conical mound of soil on which to place the rhizome and spread out the roots. Cover the roots but leave the rhizome just above the surface of the soil. It should not be planted in a dip (risk of rot), so anticipate that the soil will settle and the iris will sink. In clay or damp soil, the rhizome should even be left raised on a slight mound. To ensure the soil clings to the roots, lightly firm down the soil and thoroughly water immediately after planting. Water 2-3 times if necessary until the plant is established.

Maintenance:

Keep the soil free of weeds by shallow hoeing, taking care not to damage the rhizomes or roots. Weeds create shade for the irises, retain moisture (leading to rot), and attract slugs. Also, remove dry leaves. If they are diseased (reddish-brown-bordered spots of heterosporiosis), burn them. Remove faded flowers.

The vegetable garden can be planted with a few clumps or borders of irises for cutting.