Iris Qualified - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris 'Qualified' (TB)is a variety of tall garden iris that is quite spectacular because of its large apricot flowers and gentle fragrance. A bright fruity colour which is enhanced by intense orange beards. The plant forms beautiful clumps that will bloom in spring in borders and rock gardens.

Iris 'Qualified' is a rhizomatous perennial plant that has an upright habit, of the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over centuries, whose controversial origin is debated around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Bearded Irises have European origins. 'Qualified' is a variety of fairly modest stature, reaching 80 cm (32in) high when in flower, with a sturdy flowering stem supported by a rhizome, bearing numerous flower buds. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the centre rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer ones. The deciduous foliage consists of long sword-shaped, glaucous green, highly veined leaves. Flowering stems appear in April with enormous flowers in May, earlier or later depending on the climate, 14 cm (6in) wide, blooming from the top to the lower branches. The petals are apricot to peach, slightly lighter towards the mandarin beards and tinged with pink at the base. The drooping apricot sepals are very wide, with a mandarin beard at the base. The colour is enhanced by the silky and iridescent texture of the petals and sepals. This variety has a gentle fragrance.

Obtained by Grosvenor, 1999

To complement irises, plants should be chosen based on their needs (exposure, soil...), growth (low-growing plants or light foliage), appearance and flowering time. For example, Gauras will provide little shade to the irises and keep the bed attractive throughout the summer. California Poppies (Eschscholzia) will be content with dry and poor soil, just like irises. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also complement irises very well. Slopes can be stabilised by dense planting of vigorous old varieties that require little care. The vegetable garden can accommodate a few clumps of irises for cut flowers.