Iris germanica Into the Blue - Iris des jardins, Grand Iris barbu, Iris d'Allemagne

The Iris 'Into the Blue' is a creation from the renowned Schreiner nursery, captivating with its large, intensely undulate cerulean flowers and early flowering. Refined and expressive, this tall Germanica iris combines vigour and reliability. Very hardy, it thrives in full sun in well-drained soil where it displays its full stature from early spring. It is an excellent bedding plant, elegant, hardy, and drought-resistant, ideal for creating a romantic corner in the garden.

The Iris ‘Into the Blue’ is a cultivar of tall bearded iris belonging to the Iridaceae family. It was developed in 2007 by Schreiner's Gardens (U.S.A), from the cross-breeding between the varieties ‘Above the Clouds’ and ‘Abiqua Falls’. Its flowering occurs towards the start of the tall iris season; it is often the first among pale blue irises. The botanical species reference Iris × germanica, results from an ancient cross between Iris pallida (native to the Dinaric Alps and the Italian peninsula) and Iris variegata (native to Central and Eastern Europe). In the wild, these species are found in open, rocky areas in well-drained soil in sunny positions.
The Iris 'Into The Blue' has an upright, clump-forming habit, reaching a height of approximately 91 cm in flower with an average spread of 40 to 50 cm. Of moderately fast growth, the plant offers optimal flowering from the second year under ideal conditions. The root system is rhizomatous: the rootstocks are fleshy, horizontal, and situated near the surface. They gradually spread by forming offsets, which allows for effective vegetative propagation. The flowers measure 10 to 13 cm in diameter. Heavily undulate, they display a uniform light blue colour and cream beards with pale yellow tips. They consist of three upright petals and three trailing tepals, as with all bearded irises. Flowering often begins as early as late April or early May, depending on the climate. Pollination is entomophilous, primarily carried out by bees attracted by the nectar produced at the base of the tepals. The foliage is deciduous, meaning it dies back in autumn before regrowing the following spring. It consists of long, sword-shaped, rigid, upright, slightly arching leaves measuring 30 to 50 cm long by 3 to 4 cm wide, of a glaucous green colour. The flower stems are sturdy, sparsely ramified, and well-proportioned to the foliage. They bear 6 to 8 flower buds distributed over one or two branches depending on the plant's vigour.

With its sky-blue colour and beautiful undulations, the Iris Into the Blue is a marvel for creating new spring borders. It can be showcased by integrating it into a border of blue hues, accentuated with white-flowering perennials or silver-leaved plants to enhance its brilliance. It forms a beautiful display with hardy geraniums like ‘Brookside’, the double and airy-flowered columbines ‘Blue Barlow’, the Narcissus triandrus ‘Thalia’ and the pastel pink double late tulip 'Angélique'.

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