Iris Ringo - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris 'Ringo' is a large bearded Iris with a harmonious and contrasting spring flowering of large bicoloured flowers with slightly wavy white petals washed with pink on sepals illuminated by a mandarin and purple, silky beard, bordered with pale mauve pink. This remarkable variety has proven itself: it has exceptional vigour that allows it to faithfully rebloom every year. Its flowers exude a sweet sugary scent in the middle of the iris season. It is ideal in borders or on slopes.

'Ringo' Iris is a rhizomatous, deciduous perennial plant, with an upright clumping habit from spring. 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 should be noted that bearded Irises have European origins. 'Ringo' will reach a height of 90 cm (35in) when in bloom, with numerous buds, ensuring a long flowering period, and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer ones. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped, glaucous green, and highly veined leaves. Floral stems appear in April, each bearing 6 to 7 tightly packed flowers in May, blooming from the top down to the lower branches. The festive colour of this plant catches the eye, and, as always with bearded Irises, it is magnified by the texture of the petals and sepals. It is worth noting that the flowers are also fragrant.

Schoop 1979 breeding.

To accompany the irises, choose companion plants based on their needs (exposure, soil...), their growth (low-growing or light-foliage plants), and their decorative traits (appearance, flowering time). For example, Gaura will cast little shade on the irises and keep the faded iris bed attractive all summer. Eschscholzia will thrive in dry and poor soil just like the iris. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also complement irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges will be stabilized by dense plantings of old diploid varieties that require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for care is possible, one can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates that are less likely to be toppled.

At the base of 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.

Border: the whole range can be used, from early dwarfs less than 40 cm (16in) tall, to tall irises over 75 cm (30in) tall in May, passing through intermediates (in terms of size and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but flower alongside the tall ones. Tall irises, exposed to strong winds, may need staking to prevent them from being blown over.

Mass planting: perfect for border irises but also dwarfs, depending on the circumstances.

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, chosen based on their position (foreground, background) and the size of the surrounding plants.

Iris bed, irises' garden: the paradise of the iris enthusiast where the choice and arrangement of varieties (shape, colour, fragrance...) reflect individual taste. The use of all bearded irises allows for two and a half months of flowers in spring. The choice of reblooming irises offers some additional flowers in late summer or autumn.

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