Iris germanica Millenium Falcon - Bearded Iris

The Iris germanica 'Millenium Falcon' created a buzz in the world of iris breeders when it was introduced in 2000. This variety of Garden Iris, classified in the category of 'Broken Colours', possesses vigour, robustness, perfect forms and floriferousness, qualities that are complemented by a unique personality. Its architectural flowers are all different, displaying superb sepals randomly striped with royal blue, violet, white, grey and silver on a wisteria blue background, dominated by petals of the same delicately veined wisteria blue. An exceptional iris, with a fabulous presence in flowerbeds and rock gardens.

The 'Millenium Falcon' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant with an upright habit. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over centuries, with debate about its controversial origins revolving around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It is worth noting that Garden Irises have European origins.

'Millenium Falcon' is a very tall variety, reaching 95 cm (37in) in height when in bloom, with a sturdy stem supported by rhizomes, bearing multiple flower buds. The clump will spread very quickly, with theoretically no limit over time, as the central rhizomes become bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green and highly veined. Floral stems appear in April, and in May, in the middle of the peak iris season, the flowers open from the top downwards to the lower branches. The sensational colour of this plant is, as always with Garden Irises, enhanced by the texture of the silky iridescent petals and the thicker, velvety sepals. Note that the beards are orange, tinged with blue.

Obtained by Brad Kasperek (U.S.A), 1998.

Awards: Honorable Mention in 2002, Award of Merit in 2004, John C. Wister Medal in 2008

To accompany the irises, choose plants that thrive in sunny and dry soil conditions, preferably low-growing or with light foliage to avoid shading them, and pay attention to how they complement each other (appearance, flowering period). Gaura, for example, meets these three criteria, and its later flowering will keep the flower bed attractive all through summer. Eschscholzia, perennial geraniums, salvias and Libertia also complement irises very well. Against a wall, the relative shelter from the wind allows for the use of tall irises. Of course,  shorter and earlier varieties can also be planted in the foreground. The vegetable garden can also be adorned with a few clumps or borders of irises, since it is a place dedicated to the cultivation of cut flowers.

Alongside a pathway: the entire range can be used, from the early dwarfs under 40 cm (16in), to the tall irises over 75 cm (30in) that bloom in May, including the intermediate (in size and earliness) and the so-called border irises, which are medium-sized but bloom with the tall ones. The tall irises, being very exposed to the wind, may need staking to prevent them from being flattened.

Edge of flowerbeds: the domain of border irises but also dwarfs.

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, depending on the location (foreground, background) and the height of the surrounding plants.

Iris bed/iris garden: the paradise of the iris enthusiast. The use of the full range of bearded irises allows for two and a half months of flowers in spring. The choice of reblooming irises offers some additional flowers in late summer or autumn.