Iris x hollandica Golden Harvest

The Iris (x) hollandica 'Golden Harvest' is a Dutch iris that stands out for its sunny colour, almost pure yellow. This bulbous iris blooms for 2 to 3 weeks, earlier or later in spring depending on the climate. Refined and colourful, the stylized flowers of Dutch irises stand out for their elegance in the garden, as well as in bouquets. They are hardy bulbs that are easy to grow in all regions. They only require sunlight and well-drained fertile soil.

The Dutch irises, or bulbous irises, have an underground storage organ in the form of a bulb, not a rhizome like their famous cousins the Iris germanica, or bearded irises. Belonging to the same botanical family as the latter, the iridaceae family, they also differ by the absence of "beards", those pretty little fluffy and colourful tongues found on the drooping sepals of bearded irises. The first Dutch irises (x) never grew in the wild on Dutch soil, but are the result of cross-breeding between 2 main botanical species: Iris filifolia, sometimes confused with Iris xyphium which resembles it, both originating from Spain and North Africa, and Iris tingitana from Tangier and northern Morocco. The genealogy of Dutch hybrids is sometimes confusing, but the result is always remarkable. Their flowers, somewhat underused in the garden, are highly appreciated in floristry.

Over time, 'Golden Harvest' Dutch Iris forms a narrow, erect clump measuring 55-60 cm (22-24in) when in bloom. This perennial spreads indefinitely through the production of bulblets. This cultivar generally flowers in May-June (as early as March-April in the south) for 2 to 3 weeks, on thin but sturdy stems. Its solitary or paired flowers on the stems measure 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in diameter, relatively slender compared to those of Iris germanica, but with undeniable elegance. They are a vibrant, uniform yellow. Each flower consists of 3 upright, slender, translucent petals of small size. Beneath this trio are 3 almost horizontal petals, closely linked to the dentate petaloid styles on the edges, arranged in a staggered pattern. Wider, they are spatulate, brushed with dark yellow at the base. Each flower can last 5 to 7 days, even in a vase. The bulb is round, 2 to 3 cm (1in) wide, covered with a fibrous tunic of a pinkish beige colour. It produces a few linear, thin and leathery leaves, somewhat resembling those of a grass, slightly glaucous green, often slightly striated and folded in half towards the ground. They frequently appear in autumn, persisting more or less depending on the severity of the winter and drying up in summer during the dormant period.

Less known and less used by gardeners than bearded irises, Dutch irises are nevertheless easy to grow, with undeniable elegance and indifferent to wild grasses that struggle to infiltrate their very vertical clumps. Plant them in groups of 10 to 20 bulbs of the same variety; they will come back year after year to offer you more and more refined and joyful flowers, which go well with the spring flowering of shrubs. They also look superb planted in the midst of perennials such as peonies and daylilies, which will mask their absence in summer when they are dormant. Their Mediterranean origins give them excellent adaptation to summer drought. Finally, pick their flowers to make bouquets with roses, arums or even late tulips. All irises need a sunny exposure to flower well. Give them at least half a day of full sun.