Iris Yaquina Blue - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris 'Yaquina Blue' is a super variety, magnificent in every way and extremely vigorous. Its medium blue flowers are 11 cm (4in) in diameter, and frilly, perched on tall stems supported by a huge rootstock. The floral stems are perfectly branched, ensuring a long flowering period in the middle of the season. This rather old award winning iris has not lost any of the qualities that made it a champion.

Iris 'Yaquina Blue' 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 the centuries, whose controversial origin is debated around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Garden Irises have European origins. 'Yaquina Blue' is a particularly vigorous variety, reaching a height of 90 cm (35in) to 1.20 m (4ft) when in bloom, with a solid stem from the rootstock, bearing several floral buds. The clump spreads very quickly, with no theoretical limit over time, as the central rhizomes thin out in favour of the external rhizomes. It has an upright, dense tufted habit. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped, glaucous green and highly veined leaves. Floral stems appear in April and flower in May, blooming from the top down. This plant is very blue, evoking the Yaquina Bay in Oregon which it is named for, magnified by the silky texture of the petals and sepals. Note that the subtle beards are also blue.

Obtained by Schreiner, 1992.

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil...), growth (low plants or light foliage), decorative appearance and flowering date. For example, Gauras will provide little shade to irises and will keep the faded iris bed attractive throughout the summer. Eschscholzias will be satisfied with dry and poor soil, just like irises. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also go very well with irises. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by a dense planting of old diploid varieties that require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for care is possible, you can choose more modern varieties which are less likely to be toppled.

Use tall irises at the base of a wall, sheltered from the wind. They can also be planted in the background behind shorter and earlier flowering varieties.

Border: the entire range can be used, from short early varieties to tall irises flowering in May, including intermediate varieties (in terms of size and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but flower with tall ones. Tall irises with heavy flowers may need staking to prevent them from being flattened.

Mass planting in a border: the realm of border irises, but also of dwarf irises.

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, depending on the location (front or back) and the size of neighbouring plants.

Iris bed, iris garden: using the full range of bearded irises allows for two and a half months of flowers in spring. Perpetual irises offers some additional flowers in late summer or autumn.

The vegetable garden can accommodate a few clumps of irises for cutting.