Iris germanica La part des Anges - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica 'La Part des Anges' is a tall variety of Bearded Iris that is as majestic as it is graceful, with large pastel flowers. The petals are a light violet-blue, becoming darker at the base, resting on sepals that are very pale blue, almost white as they fully open. The heart of each flower is adorned with pale blue beards tipped with orange. In the garden this plant forms large, highly flowered clumps in spring, with colours that harmonise perfectly in a palette of pastel or vibrant tones. It blooms in the middle of the iris season.

The 'La Part des Anges' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in spring into elegantly upright clumps, with foliage that disappears 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.

'La Part des Anges' will reach a height of 90 cm (35in) when in bloom, with several flower buds per stem. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer ones. The foliage consists of long, wide, sword-shaped leaves, with a slightly glaucous green colour and parallel veins. In April floral stems appear and in May they bear inverted two-tone flowers that open progressively from the top down towards the lower branches. They consist of 3 upright standard petals of darker colour than the 3 sepals, in shades of mauve, pale blue, and white. The beards, discreet, are pale blue with orange tips. The colour of this plant, as always with Bearded Irises, is magnified by the thick and iridescent texture of the floral parts. The fragrance of the flowers is light and sweet.

Obtained by Michèle Bersillon, 2010. 

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.