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Iris germanica Brilliant Disguise - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris germanica Brilliant Disguise
Bearded Iris

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This large iris charms with its large, medium blue flowers, very undulate, almost solid, whose velvety texture catches the light. A yellow beard tipped with white brightens the centre of the flower. This mid-to-late season variety can rebloom in late summer or autumn under a favourable climate. Plant it in full sun, in rich, well-drained soil.
Height at maturity
90 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 August to September
Recommended planting time July to October
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Flowering time May to June
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Description

Iris 'Brilliant Disguise' is a tall garden iris bicolour with remarkable contrast and very warm colours. Its flowers combine orange apricot petals with black-brown sepals that are intensely velvety, enhanced by a flame orange beard. Its mid-season flowering occurs in May-June depending on the climate, on tall stems. A light fragrance accompanies the flowers in mild weather.

This cultivar belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is a tall bearded iris, whose flowers bear a small brush of coloured hairs on the trailing sepals. Horticultural irises of this type are linked to Iris × germanica, an ancient hybrid derived from Iris pallida and Iris variegata, native to the northwestern part of the Balkan peninsula. It is a rhizomatous perennial, hardy and drought-tolerant.

'Brilliant Disguise' is an American introduction by Thomas Johnson, registered in 2008. It is descended from the cultivars 'Idol' and 'Next Millennium'. This variety received an Honorable Mention in 2010, followed by an Award of Merit in 2012. The plant forms a perennial clump composed of fleshy, horizontal rhizomes that emerge from the soil. The roots located beneath the rhizome penetrate underground, while new shoots form at the periphery. This variety reaches about 90 cm in height when in flower and 40 to 50 cm in width after 3 or 4 years. The flower stems are branched and bear several buds that open successively or in pairs. The leaves form upright fans, glaucous green, and are sword-shaped. They partially dry up in winter depending on the climate. The flowers are broad, moderately undulate, lightly scented, and very visible from a distance. The upright petals are a bright orange apricot, the trailing sepals take on a brown to black-brown hue, lighter near the beard of flame orange.
This iris takes its name from the title of a Bruce Springsteen song released in 1987, 'Brilliant Disguise'.

Plant 'Brilliant Disguise' in groups of three rhizomes, spaced 35 to 40 cm apart. Its very warm colouring combines well with the purple foliage of the spurge 'Black Bird' and the vivid orange flowering of the rock rose 'Bronzeteppich'. You can add a few yarrow 'Credo' which will take over in early summer, and some common sage 'Purpurascens', for its greyish purple foliage and compact habit.

The vegetable garden can be adorned with a few clumps or borders of irises, as it is also the classic place dedicated to cut flowers.

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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 to June
Inflorescence Spike
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 90 cm
Spread at maturity 40 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Iris

Species

germanica

Cultivar

Brilliant Disguise

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

Bearded Iris

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference26057

Planting and care

Plant the iris ‘Brilliant Disguise’ from July to October. Choose a very sunny position, with at least six hours of direct sunlight a day, as shade significantly reduces flowering. Install it in fertile soil, neutral to calcareous, especially very well-drained; in clay soil, loosen widely and add gravel or coarse sand to avoid stagnant water around the rootstock. Place the rootstock almost at the surface, with the upper side visible to the sun, and bury only the roots. Space the plants 30 to 40 cm apart. Water at planting, then only in case of prolonged drought the first year. Remove faded flowers, cut the spent flower stems at the base and remove dry leaves at the end of winter. Divide the rootstocks every three or four years, in summer, when the centre of the clump flowers less.

Planting period

Best planting time August to September
Recommended planting time July to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 4 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 rich and well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions After flowering, cut back the flower stems. Optionally, in summer, cut the foliage at an angle halfway up using a pruning shear.
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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