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Iris germanica Circus Dragon - Dwarf bearded Iris

Iris germanica Circus Dragon
Bearded Iris

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This Lilliput iris is remarkable for its canary yellow colour, almost orange depending on the light, enhanced by beautiful scarlet red beards. Its flowering, in April or May depending on the region, creates a very bright spot of colour among the stones of a rock garden or above a low wall.
Height at maturity
36 cm
Spread at maturity
25 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 February to March, July to October
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Flowering time April to May
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Description

The Iris ‘Circus Dragon’ is a dwarf garden iris with a canary yellow colour, warmed by golden orange, with large scarlet red beards. Few Lilliputs offer such vibrancy and contrast between flower and beard. In spring, it can be seen from afar despite its small size. It finds its place in a rock garden, on a dry bank, in a trough, or at the front of a sunny border.

'Circus Dragon' belongs to the group of standard dwarf bearded irises, marketed in France as Lilliput irises. This category includes low irises, taller than miniature irises, but not as tall as intermediate irises. They bloom early in the iris season, before garden irises. The cultivar 'Circus Dragon' reaches 35 to 36 cm in flower. The plant, perennial, forms a small clump of glaucous green leaves, stiff and tapered. It grows from a fleshy rootstock, placed near the soil surface, which thickens and lengthens slowly over the years.
The flower of 'Circus Dragon' is single and brightly coloured: three upright petals and three trailing sepals display the same canary yellow. The scarlet red beards stand out clearly at the base of the sepals. This solid colour is called "self" by iris enthusiasts. A light fragrance may be perceived in mild weather. The flowering of this variety occurs in April or May depending on the climate. Its simple, sunny colour works particularly well in small mineral spaces.

'Circus Dragon' is an American introduction by Bennett Jones, registered in 2001 as seedling number 621-1. It received an Honorable Mention from the American Iris Society in 2004, then an Award of Merit in 2006

In a rock garden or at the edge of a low wall, 'Circus Dragon' should be surrounded by low plants that do not shade it and do not compete with its rootstocks. Its canary yellow will be enhanced by the bright blue of the Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’, the pure white of the Iberis sempervirens ‘Snowflake’ and the lemon-green foliage of the Santolina ‘Lemon Fizz’. You can add Salvia nemorosa ‘Marcus’ slightly behind, for its blue-violet spikes and compact habit. 

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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 yellow
Flowering time April to May
Inflorescence Cluster
Fragrance slightly scented

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 36 cm
Spread at maturity 25 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Iris

Species

germanica

Cultivar

Circus Dragon

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

Bearded Iris

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference26092

Planting and care

The iris 'Circus Dragon' can be planted from July to October as a rootstock, or in spring and autumn for potted plants, outside freezing periods. Install it in full sun, in soil loosened to a depth of 20 cm, with gravel if the soil retains water in winter. Place the rootstock almost at the surface, with roots spread in the soil; its top must remain visible. Water well at planting time, then only during dry periods in the first few weeks. A light application of well-rotted compost around the clump is sufficient in poor soil. Divide the clumps every three or four years, in summer, when flowering decreases in the centre of the stump.

Planting period

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

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 10 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 May
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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