Iris Provençal - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris 'Provençal'  truly radiates in flowerbeds and rock gardens. The bi-coloured flowers of this Garden Iris are not very large but display an exceptionally vivid colour, widely tinted and sprinkled with almost brown burgundy red on a bright yellow background. This excellent variety, dedicated iris of the millennium on the occasion of Franciris 2000, also exhales a sweet fragrance reminiscent of orange blossom. Robust and undemanding, it is one of the faithful ones that brighten the garden every spring, even in poor and rocky soil.

Iris 'Provençal' is a rhizomatous, deciduous perennial, with an upright clumping habit. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars around for centuries, whose controversial origin is debated around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It is worth noting that BeardedIrises have European origins.

'Provençal' is a medium-sized variety, reaching 80-85 cm (32-34in) high when in bloom, with a sturdy stem supported by rhizomes and bearing multiple flower buds. The clump spreads very quickly, 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 and flower in May, usually at the beginning of the iris season, blooming from the top to the lower branches. In this variety, the deep reddish-brown petals dominate the sepals of the same tone, marked with a wide yellow and sprinkled with burgundy along the edges. The contrasting colours are magnified by the silky texture of the petals and sepals. Note that the discreet beards are bronze-copper.

Obtained by Cayeux, 1978. (Radiant Apogee x High Life)

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil...), growth (low-growing plants or light foliage), appearance and flowering date. For example, Gaura will cast little shade and keep the faded flowerbed attractive throughout summer. Eschscholzia will be happy with dry and poor soil, just like irises. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also go well with irises. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by a dense planting of old vigorous varieties that require little care. If the goal is more decorative and there is access for care, modern floriferous varieties can be chosen which will be less likely to bend under the wind or rain.

Tall irises can be planted at the base of a very sunny wall, sheltered from the wind, behind shorter and early varieties.