Iris Latin Lady

The 'Latin Lady' German Iris, also known as the tall bearded iris, is a fairly old variety that produces well-balanced flowers with white petals washed with pink on purple-violet sepals, finely edged with pink and white. The heart of the flower is warmed by an orange beard. This variety blooms in mid-season, forming elegant and vigorous clumps, perfect in borders or on difficult slopes.

Iris 'Latin Lady' is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant that forms an upright clump. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over centuries, with controversial origins debated around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It is worth noting that Bearded Irises have European origins. 'Latin Lady' will reach 90 cm (35in) high when in flower, with numerous buds, and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer ones. It has an elegant upright, dense clump of long sword-shaped, glaucous green and highly veined leaves. Floral stems appear in April and bloom in May from the top down. The colour is enhanced by the texture of the petals and sepals.

Breeder: Shoop 1978.

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their requirements (exposure, soil...), compatibility with irises (low-growing or light-foliaged plants), decorative appearance and flowering time. For example, Gaura plants will provide little shade to irises and will keep the faded iris bed attractive throughout the summer. Eschscholzia will thrive in the same dry and poor soil conditions as irises. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also pair well with irises. Steep slopes and terrace edges can be stabilised by dense plantings of old diploid varieties that can remain in place and require little care. If the goal is more decorative and accessibility for maintenance is possible, one can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates that are less likely to topple over.

Tall irises can be planted at the base of a wall, in relative shelter from the wind. They can also be planted in the foreground of shorter and earlier varieties.

Border: the entire range of iris varieties can be used, from dwarf early bloomers under 40 cm (16in), to tall irises over 75 cm (30in) that flower in May, as well as intermediates (in size and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but flower with the tall ones. Tall irises exposed to strong winds may need staking to prevent them from falling over.

Mass planting: the domain of border irises but also dwarfs, depending on the circumstances.

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

Iris bed, iris garden: the paradise of the iris lover, where the choice and arrangement of varieties (shape, colour, fragrance...) reflect individual tastes. Using the full range of bearded irises allows for two and a half months of flowers in spring. Choosing reblooming irises offers some additional flowers in late summer or autumn.

The vegetable garden can be planted with a few clumps or borders of irises for cutting.