Iris germanica Bébé Rose - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica 'Bébé Rose' is a border iris variety, not very tall, that charms with its pastel seashell colour combining white, pink, and rosy apricot. This variety also has a good balance between flowers and foliage, making it a very beautiful plant for bordering and wind-exposed gardens. 

The 'Bébé Rose Iris' is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant with an upright tufted habit from spring onwards. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over centuries, with a controversial origin discussed in relation to the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It is worth noting that Garden Irises have European origins.

This 'Bébé Rose' variety is of moderate size, reaching 60cm (24in) in height when flowering, and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The plant has an erect, elegant habit, forming a dense tuft. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green in colour, with prominent veins. In April, floral stems appear, carrying multiple flower buds, and flowering takes place in the middle of the Garden Iris season, in May. The flowers open from the top to the lower branches. The flowers consist of white petals subtly infused with dominant pink, rounded sepals in a soft rosy apricot colour, adorned with mandarin orange beards. The colour of this plant, as always with Garden Irises, is magnified by the texture of the petals and sepals. 

Obtained by Cayeux, 2022. 

To accompany irises, choose companion plants based on their requirements (exposure, soil...), their "respectful" vegetation towards irises (low-growing plants or light foliage), and their decorative complementarity (appearance, flowering time). For example, Gaura will provide little shade to the irises and maintain an attractive aspect to the deflowered iris bed throughout the summer. Eschscholzia will thrive in the same dry and poor soil as the iris. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also accompany irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges will be stabilized by a dense planting of old diploid varieties that can remain in place and 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 prone to being toppled over than tall varieties.