Iris germanica Effrontée - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica 'Effrontée' is a Bearded Iris with many qualities. Its flowers are beautifully formed, of thick substance and a uniform lavender pink colour enhanced by coral-based beards. They are numerous and succeed each other on vigorous and well-branched floral stems. This charming semi-late variety blooms towards the end of the Bearded Iris season, in May-June.

The 'Effrontée' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in spring into elegantly upright clumps, with foliage disappearing in winter. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of many cultivars obtained over the centuries, with debate about their disputed origins revolving around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Bearded Irises have European origins. They are plants that thrive in alkaline soils and require plenty of sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to 'cook' in summer in order to bloom. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'Effrontée' will reach a height of 85 cm (34in) when in bloom, producing thick, well-branched, and sturdy floral stems. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer ones. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped leaves, slightly glaucous green in colour, with parallel veins. In April floral stalks appear, which will give rise to beautifully fringed flowers in May-June, opening from the top down towards the lower branches. They consist of 3 upright standard petals, dominating 3 broad and almost horizontal sepals, of the same pinkish mauve colour, finely veined. The base of the petals features beautiful coral-orange beards with white tips. The colour of this plant, as always with Bearded Irises, is magnified by the thick and iridescent texture of the floral parts.

Breeding by Cayeux, 2022. ('Vienna Walz' x 'Hortensia Rose').

To accompany your irises, choose plants based on their similar needs (sunlight, soil), a growth habit that is "respectful" of irises (i.e. non-competitive plants which are shorter, have light foliage), and how they complement each other visually (appearance, flowering period). For example, Gauras won't create shade, and will keep the bed attractive all summer after your irises have finished flowering. California Poppies and Love-in-a-Mist, like irises, will tolerate dry soil in summer. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also accompany irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense plantings of old varieties that can remain in place and require little care.  If the goal is more decorative and access for maintenance is possible, you can choose more modern varieties, e.g. intermediate ones that are less likely than tall ones to be flattened by wind and rain.

The vegetable garden can be embellished with a few clumps or borders of irises, as the classic place for the cultivation of cut flowers.