Iris Poésie - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris germanica 'Poesie' is a very attractive tall bearded iris variety: prolific and floriferous, it offers a graceful and unique colour for several weeks in spring. Its round, tender and luminous flowers combine pink petals with white sepals widely edged with amethyst pink, centred around a lively little bright red beard that spices up this pastel ensemble. The vigorous plant often produces several stems per rhizome and 8 to 9 buds per stem, ensuring a long flowering period in beds, borders, and rock gardens.

'Poesie' is a rhizomatous, deciduous perennial plant, with an upright clump-forming habit. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over centuries, with a controversial origin that revolves around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It is worth noting that Garden Irises have European origins. 'Poesie' is a compact variety that will reach 80 cm (32in) high when in flower, with one to three sturdy stems per rhizome, each bearing numerous flower buds. The clump will spread rapidly, with no theoretical limit over time, as the central rhizomes become bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped, glaucous green and highly veined leaves. Floral stems appear in April which will produce flowers in May, quite early in the season for tall bearded irises, blooming from the top down to the lower branches. The pastel colour of this plant is enhanced by the silky texture of the petals and sepals. 

Obtained by Cayeux in 2003. 

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil...), their growth (low-growing or light foliage plants), their appearance and flowering time. For example, Gaura will create little shade for the irises and maintain attractiveness in the flowerbed after the irises have faded, throughout the summer. Eschscholzia will be happy with the same dry and poor soil as irises. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also complement irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilized by dense plantings of vigorous old varieties that require little care. If the goal is more decorative and there is access for maintenance, modern varieties can be chosen, such as intermediates, which are often highly floriferous and less likely to bend in the wind or rain compared to tall bearded irises.

Tall bearded irises can be planted at the base of a very sunny wall, sheltered from the wind or in the background behind shorter and earlier varieties.

Border: the entire range can be used, from dwarf early irises to tall irises blooming in May, including intermediate (in size and earliness) varieties and border irises, which are medium-sized but bloom with the tall ones. Tall irises with heavy flowers, exposed to the wind, are at risk of bending if not staked.

Flower bed: border irises as well as dwarf irises.

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, either at the front or back, depending on the size of neighbouring plants.

Iris bed, iris garden: A wise choice allows for two and a half months of flowers in spring. The choice of "perpetual" irises offers some additional flowers in late summer or autumn.

The vegetable garden can accommodate a few clumps of irises for cut flowers.