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Iris Naples - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris germanica Naples
German Iris, Bearded Iris

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This distinguished variety has superb bicolour flowers whose chamois petals are nuanced with purple rose and highlighted by dark red-purple sepals with black highlights, lighter at the edges, and dark orange beards. The wide and wavy flowers bloom on compact stalks. The growth is vigorous. Early mid-season flowering.

Flower size

12 cm

Height at maturity

85 cm

Spread at maturity

40 cm

Exposure

Sun

Hardiness

Hardy down to -15°C

Soil moisture

Dry soil, Moist soil

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Best planting time August to September

Recommended planting time February to March, July to October

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Flowering time May

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Description

Iris Naples is a superb bicolour Iris, with a distinguished, beautifully contrasting appearance. Its flower features fawn-coloured petals, shaded light purple in the centre, and velvety, deep blackish purple sepals, lighter at the edges. The beards are dark orange. The plant is vigorous, producing compact stems with 6 to 8 flower buds, and blooms early in mid-season, quickly forming beautiful clumps in sunny borders and rock gardens.

Iris Naples is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant that belongs to the Iridaceae family, obtained by Johnson in 2001. It is a tall variety, reaching 85 cm (34in) when in flower, with a strong flower stem and well-constructed stems carrying numerous flower buds. The clump spreads rapidly, without a theoretical limit, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped, glaucous green, highly veined leaves. Flower stems appear in April and bloom in May, earlier or later depending on the climate, with wide flowers measuring 12-14 cm (5-6in), opening from the top towards the lower branches. This iris is white, slightly infused with blue, which gradually darkens, ranging from light blue to gentian blue. The petals and sepals are silky, with iridescent reflections.

Iris Naples thrives in a romantic atmosphere or in a cottage garden, in well-drained soil that is not too compact. It is enhanced by combinations with flowers in caramel, orange, purple, red, or violet shades. To hide the faded foliage of irises, they are often accompanied by long-flowering perennials that tolerate dry soil, such as Gaura, sages, or perennial geraniums. Columbines add lightness, while clematis forms an attractive backdrop. Foxgloves provide height. Don't forget about foliage, such as grasses, silver wormwoods, or euphorbias. A few clumps of irises also brighten up the vegetable garden before adorning vases.

Flowering

Flower colour two-tone

Flowering time May

Inflorescence Cluster

Flower size 12 cm

Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous

Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 85 cm

Spread at maturity 40 cm

Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Iris

Species

germanica

Cultivar

Naples

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

German Iris, Bearded Iris

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Planting and care

Do you have a sunny, sheltered, warm location, dry in summer?
This is the ideal location for tall irises! In the shade, they grow but do not flower. They are hardy and do not need winter protection. Well-drained soil is perfect, even dry. German irises require limestone soil: add lime if it tends to be acidic. Excessively wet soil promotes rhizome rot. Plant from July to September to allow the rhizomes enough time to grow and develop new roots before winter. They should be planted as soon as they are purchased for the best results. Plan to divide the irises every 4 years or so to give them fresh soil. They have vigorous growth and require space to develop and flower well. Plant with spacing appropriate to the size and vigour of the variety: approximately 34-50 cm (13-20in) for tall ones. In a monochrome planting, the rhizomes are planted in a staggered pattern. To create a mix of colours, plant them in groups of several of the same variety. Always consider the direction of rhizome growth by arranging them in a star shape, with buds and leaves facing outward, and spacing them well away from other varieties so they have room to develop.

Planting

Dig a hole that is wide and deep enough. Make a large conical mound of soil in the hole, place the rhizome on top and spread out the roots. Cover the roots. It is important for the rhizome to be left just above the surface of the soil. It should not be planted in a dip (risk of rot), so anticipate that the soil will settle and the iris will sink. In clay or wet soil, the rhizome can even be left elevated on a slight mound. To make the soil cling to the roots, lightly firm and water abundantly after planting. Water 2-3 times if necessary until it is established.

Maintenance:

Keep the soil weed-free by shallow hoeing, taking care not to damage the rhizomes or roots. Weeds shade the irises, retain moisture (causing rot), and attract slugs. Similarly, remove dry leaves. If they are diseased (reddish-brown bordered spots of heterosporiosis), burn them. Remove faded flowers.

Planting period

Best planting time August to September

Recommended planting time February to March, July to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery

Type of use Border

Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map

Ease of cultivation Amateur

Planting density 5 per m2

Exposure Sun

Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous

Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)