Iris germanica Michigan Pride

Iris germanica 'Michigan Pride' is a fairly old variety of tall bearded iris, always appreciated for its beautiful flowering. Its large round flowers, undulated and finely frizzled at the edges, are bicoloured, with golden yellow petals veined with brick red dominating sepals of a very warm brownish-red, striped with white at the shoulders and finely edged with golden yellow. The overall effect is harmonious, with yellow-orange beards. This vigorous and prolific plant will quickly form large, shimmering clumps in May.

The Iris 'Michigan Pride' is a rhizomatous perennial that forms upright clumps. Its deciduous foliage disappears in autumn and reappears in spring. This plant 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.

The 'Michigan Pride' Iris is a bicoloured variety, called "variegata". It will reach a height of 91 cm (36in) when in bloom. Each rhizome produces a branching stem with several flower buds. The clump will spread very quicky and indefinitely, as the central rhizomes become bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green in colour, strongly veined. In April floral stems appear, which will produce flowers in May, in the middle of the tall iris flowering season, opening from the top down towards the lower branches. The flamboyant colour of this plant is, as always with Bearded Irises, magnified by the silky, velvety, and iridescent texture of the petals and sepals.

Obtained by Berndt in 1975 - Awards: Mention honorable 1978, Award of Merit 1980.

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.

Tall irises can be placed at the base of a very sunny wall, sheltered from the wind. They can be planted in the background of shorter and earlier varieties. The vegetable garden can also accommodate some clumps of irises, as the classic place for growing cut flowers.