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Iris germanica Échassier - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris germanica Échassier
Bearded Iris

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This very tall and unusual variety flowers at the end of the tall iris season, in May-June. Its flowers have light yellow petals and almost horizontal sepals, white, edged with lavender, adorned with a golden yellow beard which extends into a long white spur with a lavender tip. Plant it in full sun, in rich, well-drained soil.
Height at maturity
1.15 m
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

The Iris ‘Échassier’ holds one of the last surprises of the tall garden iris season. This late variety bears large light yellow, white and lavender flowers whose beards extend into feathery spurs. Its particularly tall flower stems and this small egret at the heart of the flower probably inspired its name. 

With its 1.15 m flower stems, ‘Échassier’ is among the tallest bearded irises of its generation. Like all garden irises, it is a perennial plant with fleshy rhizomes, belonging to the Iridaceae family. Their ancestor is the Iris × germanica, a European hybrid derived from Iris pallida and Iris variegata. They grow from superficial rhizomes, are very hardy in well-drained soil and resistant to summer drought once established. Their sword-shaped leaves, of a greyish to glaucous green, are deciduous to semi-evergreen in winter depending on the climate.

After 3 or 4 years of cultivation, the clump occupies 40 to 50 cm across. The floriferous rhizomes multiply slowly at the periphery of the stump, those in the centre serving solely as storage organs. The flowers of this variety bloom late, between the end of May and June depending on the climate. Each is formed of 3 upright light yellow petals and 3 trailing sepals that spread almost horizontally, white edged with lavender to amethyst. At the base of the sepals, golden-yellow beards end in a long white, feathery spur, tinged with lavender at the tip. 

Bred in France by Richard Cayeux, registered in 2009 and then introduced in 2010, this French iris bears the seedling number 99 169 D. It comes from a cross-breeding between ‘Toile de Jouy’ and ‘Futuriste’

In the garden, plant this iris ‘Échassier’ in groups of three rhizomes, spaced 35 to 40 cm apart, to obtain a tall, clearly visible clump within 2-3 years. Place it in the middle or at the back of a border, in a position sheltered from wind. It combines well with the late iris ‘Sharper Image’, white dotted with lavender, and iris ‘Brin de Folie’, white and yellow with a spurred beard. You can plant them between grey cushions of Marrubium incanum that will not smother the rhizomes, and Goniolimon tataricum which form blue-mauve clouds in summer.

The vegetable garden can also accommodate irises, as well as other flowers for cut flower arrangements, notably gladioli.

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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 1.15 m
Spread at maturity 40 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Iris

Species

germanica

Cultivar

Échassier

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

Bearded Iris

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference260610

Planting and care

Plant the iris ‘Echassier’ from July to October. Choose a position sheltered from wind and very sunny, with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, as shade significantly reduces flowering. Plant it in fertile soil, neutral to calcareous, especially very well-drained; in clay soil, loosen generously and add gravel or coarse sand to avoid stagnant water around the rhizome. Place the rhizome almost at the surface, with the upper face visible to the sun, and bury only the roots. Space the plants 30 to 40 cm apart. Water at planting time, then only in case of prolonged drought during the first year. Remove faded flowers, cut the spent flower stalks at the base, and remove dry leaves at the end of winter.
Divide the rhizomes 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, Back of border
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 Cut the flower stems at the end of flowering. Optionally, cut the foliage at a bevel to half its height in summer using pruning shears.
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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