Iris Vitafire - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris Vitafire is a variety of bearded Iris more than fifty years old that continues to charm with rich and warm colour, close to red. Its classic flower has silky, fairly light red-pink petals, while the velvety sepals are closer to cherry-red, with brown and orange highlights. The heart of the flower is more golden and adorned with a bronze to brown beard. It is a mid to late season variety that will make a great impact in spring beds, especially with white iris.

Iris 'Vitafire' is a perennial rhizomatous, deciduous plant, with an upright habit. It belongs to the Iridaceae family and is one of the many cultivars obtained for centuries, whose controversial origin is debated around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Bearded Iris have European origins.

Iris 'Vitafire' is a medium height variety, reaching 80-85 cm (32-34in) when flowering. It produces a branching flower stem from the rhizome. The clump will spread quickly, without theoretical limit, the centre rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped, glaucous green leaves, with pronounced veins. Floral stems appear in April-May and flower in May-June, in the middle of the season for tall irises, from the top to the lower branches. The rich colour is magnified by the thick and iridescent texture of the petals and sepals.

Obtained by Schreiner (USA), 1968

Awards: High Commendation 1967; Honorable Mention 1969.

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil...), growth (low plants or light foliage), appearance and flowering time. For example, Alliums and Gauras will provide little shade to irises and keep the faded beds attractive throughout summer. California poppies will be happy with dry and poor soil, just like irises. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also complement irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense plantings of vigorous old varieties that require little care. If the goal is more decorative and there is access for care, one can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates which are floriferous and less prone to bending in the wind or rain.

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