Iris germanica Casino Queen - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica 'Casino Queen' is a variety of large garden iris, whose flower is delicately speckled with light orchid pink on a white background, with the sepals being lightly washed with pale yellow. At the heart of the corolla, the beards are white, tinged with orange-yellow at the base. It is a mid-season variety ideal for flowering in a romantic flower bed.

The 'Casino Queen' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial that forms upright clumps. Its deciduous foliage disappears in autumn and reappears in spring. This plant belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over centuries, whose controversial origin is discussed around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It is worth noting that Garden Irises have European origins.

The 'Casino Queen' Iris is a tall variety, reaching 90-95cm (35-37in) in height when in bloom. Each rhizome produces a branched stem with several flower buds. The clump spreads very rapidly, with no theoretical limit over time, as the center rhizomes become bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green in colour, strongly veined. In April, floral stems appear and in May, in the middle of the season for large irises, flowers bloom from the top down to the lower branches. The feminine colour of this variety is, as always with Garden Irises, magnified by the iridescent texture of the petals and sepals.

Obtained by Gibson in 1971 - Award: Honorable Mention in 1973

To accompany irises, choose plants to associate with them based on their needs (exposure, soil...), their "respectful" vegetation towards irises (low plants or light foliage), and their decorative complementarity (appearance, flowering date). For example, Gauras will cast little shade on the irises and will keep the deflowered iris bed attractive throughout the summer. Eschscholzia will be content with a dry soil in summer, just like the iris. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also accompany irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilized by dense planting of old diploid varieties that can remain in place and require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for maintenance is possible, one can choose more modern varieties, for example intermediates that are less likely than tall varieties to be literally blown down by the wind and rain.

At the foot of a very sunny wall, sheltered from the wind, tall irises can be planted. They can be planted in the background behind shorter and earlier varieties. The vegetable garden can also accommodate a few clumps of irises, as it is also the place dedicated to growing cut flowers.