Iris Raspberry Silk - Border Bearded Iris

Iris 'Raspberry Silk' is a variety of iris that will appeal to fans of unusual flowers. This shorter border iris, produces surprising flowers that are completely different, entirely and randomly striped with soft pink and raspberry purple on a cream background. The soft pink heart, is animated by a pretty mandarin beard tinged with pink and exhales a sweet iris fragrance. Border irises, with low and sturdy stems, resist bad weather better. They decorate gardens that are more exposed to wind and rain, the front of flower beds, on slopes or in a large rockery.

Iris 'Raspberry Silk' is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, with an upright tufted habit. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over centuries, whose controversial origin is discussed around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. Note that Garden Irises have European origins. This cultivar is classified in the horticultural category of border irises, but also of 'broken colors' irises that are distinguished by randomly striped and spotted flowers. 'Raspberry Silk' is a low variety, which will not exceed 65 cm (26in) high when in bloom, with a sturdy stem bearing multiple flower buds. The clump will spread quickly, with no theoretical limit over time, as the centre 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 have flowers in May, in the middle of the iris season, blooming from the top to the lower branches. The strange and fascinating colour of this plant is magnified by the silky texture of the petals and sepals and a sweet powdery fragrance. The beards of 'Raspberry Silk' are orange mandarin tinted with pink, white at their tips and red-orange at the throat.

Obtained by Donald Spoon, 2000. (Peach Jam x Little John).

To accompany irises, choose plants that thrive in the sun and in dry soil, low or with light foliage so as not to cast shade on the iris, and pay attention to their decorative appearance and flowering date. Gaura, for example, meets these three criteria, and its later flowering will keep the flower bed attractive in summer. Eschscholzia, perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also complement irises very well. Against a wall, the relative shelter from the wind allows for the use of tall irises. They can also be planted in the foreground of shorter and earlier varieties. The vegetable garden can also be embellished with a few clumps or borders of irises for cut flowers.

Path border: the entire range can be used, from early dwarfs under 40 cm (16in), to tall irises over 75 cm (30in) blooming in May, including intermediates (in size and earliness) and border irises, of medium size but blooming with the tall ones. Tall irises, exposed to the wind, may need staking to prevent them from being bent.

Flower bed border: the domain of border irises but also dwarfs.

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, to be chosen according to the location (foreground, background) and the height of the surrounding plants.

Iris bed, iris garden: the paradise of the iris lover. Using the full range of bearded irises allows for two and a half months of blooming in spring. The choice of reblooming irises offers some additional flowers in late summer or autumn.