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Iris germanica Apricot Toping - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica Apricot Toping
Bearded Iris

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An award-winning border iris in the United States, which has the beauty of a tall iris but a lower stem, less susceptible to wind. Its well-undulate and slightly dentate flowers combine apricot-orange petals with wine-coloured sepals shaded with apricot around an orange beard. Lightly scented, it flowers in the middle of the iris season.
Height at maturity
64 cm
Spread at maturity
40 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April, September to October
Recommended planting time February to March, July to October
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Flowering time May
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Description

The Iris ‘Apricot Topping’ is a border iris that possesses all the qualities of a tall bearded iris, but with a shorter and sturdier stem. It bears beautiful bicoloured flowers in warm tones, between orange-apricot, claret and orange, which emit a sweet fragrance. A tempting colour reminiscent of a dessert with red fruits and apricot. Planted in small groups, it forms a very floriferous border in spring.

The border iris category includes varieties that are shorter than tall bearded irises, but flower at the same time, unlike intermediate irises. 'Apricot Topping’ reaches about 64 cm in height: this variety is well suited to the front of a border or a bed, and it is less susceptible to wind. Its mid-season flowering occurs between May and June depending on the region. The flower of ‘Apricot Topping’ is heavily ruffled, with slightly serrated edges. The upright petals are orange-apricot in colour, infused with purplish tones along the midrib. The falls are darker, a wine-red mixed with apricot, with a darker central area. Around the orange beard, white and apricot rays lighten the throat. The reverse and edges of the falls also show apricot hues, a detail visible when the flowers are viewed from the side. The fragrance is light, rather sweet.

‘Apricot Topping’ was raised in the United States by Paul Black. It was registered and introduced in 1997 by Mid-America Garden, under seedling number 8924A. Its parentage combines ‘Spiced Cider’ with ‘Glitz ’n Glitter’. It received an Honorable Mention from the American Iris Society in 1999, followed by an Award of Merit in 2001.

As the iris ‘Apricot Topping’ is shorter than a tall bearded iris, place it at the edge or at the front of a sunny border, without smothering it with groundcover plants. Plant it in groups of 3 rhizomes spaced 35 to 40 cm apart; the clump will become fuller after two or three years. It can be combined with dry soil plants such as Allium atropurpureum, Orlaya grandiflora, Dianthus carthusianorum and Eschscholzia californica ‘Thai Silk Apricot Chiffon’. Remove any spontaneous seedlings that appear between the rhizomes, as the latter dislike both competition and shade.

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Garden iris, bearded iris: planting, care
Family sheet
by Virginie T. 13 min.
Garden iris, bearded iris: planting, care
Read article

Flowering

Flower colour two-tone
Flowering time May
Inflorescence Cluster
Fragrance slightly scented

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 64 cm
Spread at maturity 40 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Iris

Species

germanica

Cultivar

Apricot Toping

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

Bearded Iris

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference26122

Planting and care

Plant the rootstocks of the iris 'Apricot Toping' from July to October, in soil that is still warm. Spring planting is also possible if watering is maintained for the first few weeks. Choose a sunny position and a light soil, neutral to chalky, even poor or stony, but never waterlogged in winter. In heavy soil, plant the iris on a small mound and add gravel to the planting soil. Lay the rootstock almost flat, spread the roots and leave the top just visible. Water at planting time, then only in dry spells until established. Remove dry or spotted leaves without cutting the green foliage. Do not place organic mulch over the rootstocks and do not give nitrogen-rich fertiliser. A little well-rotted compost can be placed around the clump in spring, never directly on the crown. Divide your irises every three to four years, after flowering or in summer, when the centre of the clumps produces fewer flowers.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April, September to October
Recommended planting time February to March, July to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil Well-drained soil

Care

Pruning instructions Cut the flower stalks at the end of flowering.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time July to August
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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