Iris germanica Jacques Coeur

Iris germanica 'Jacques Coeur' is a tall variety that won't go unnoticed in the garden. Very beautiful, both bright and contrasting, its large bicoloured flowers with beautiful undulations combine   yellow and raspberry red in masterful harmony. A pretty orange beard completes the ensemble. This variety quickly forms very beautifully flowered clumps. It is this iris, with its tall and well-flowered stems, that will be the finale to the multicoloured firework show of irises in the garden.

The 'Jacques Coeur' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in elegantly erect clumps from spring, with its 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 calcareous soils and require plenty of sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to 'cook' in summer in order to flower. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'Jacques Coeur' will reach a height of 95 cm (37in) when in bloom, with numerous buds per stem. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the external ones. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped leaves, with a slightly glaucous green colour, traversed by parallel veins. In April floral stems appear that will produce beautiful bicoloured flowers in May-June, opening from the top down towards the lower branches. They consist of 3 light yellow undulated petals, dominating 3 sepals of a warmer yellow, widely bordered by dark raspberry red with Bordeaux tints for approximately 1.5 cm (1in). The beards are orange at the base and golden yellow at their tips. The colour of this plant is, as always with bearded Irises, magnified by the thick and iridescent texture of the floral parts.

Obtained by Cayeux, 2009.

To complement irises, choose plants based on their needs (sunlight, soil), their "respectful" growth habit vis-a-vis irises (low-growing plants or light foliage), and how they complement each other visually (appearance, flowering period). For example, Gauras will cast little shade and will keep the bed attractive throughout summer once the irises have flowered. California Poppies (Eschscholzia), like irises, will be satisfied with dry and poor soil. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also complement irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised 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 care is possible one can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates that are less likely than tall varieties to be knocked over by wind and rain.

The vegetable garden can also be adorned with a few clumps or borders of irises, as a place dedicated to the cultivation of cut flowers.