Iris Rising Moon

Bearded Iris Rising Moon is a beautiful variety with very large, vigorous and very bright, yellow flowers. The corolla consists of slightly wavy lemon yellow tepals which are lighter in the centre and drooping sepals adorned with beautiful golden yellow beards at the base. This mid to late season variety quickly forms beautiful clumps, with well-branched flower stalks.

'Rising Moon' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops elegantly upright clumps in spring, with its foliage disappearing in winter. 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. They thrive in chalky soils and need ample sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to "bake" in summer to bloom. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'Rising Moon' will reach 90 cm (35in) high when in bloom, with 6 to 8 buds per stem. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare as the external ones take over. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped, slightly glaucous green leaves with parallel veins. Floral stems appear in April and bloom in May-June, from the top down. As always with Garden Irises, the colour of the flowers is enhanced by the silky texture of the 3 upright petals and the 3 drooping sepals. It is worth noting that the flower is slightly fragrant.

Obtained by Schreiner, 1983

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil...) and vegetation that won't overshadow the irises (low-growing plants or plants with light foliage). For example, Gaura plants won't cast much shade on the irises and will keep the iris bed attractive throughout the summer. California poppies will tolerate dry soil, just like irises. Geraniums, herbaceous salvias, and Libertia also complement irises very well. Slopes can be stabilised by dense plantings of old, sturdy varieties that require very little care. When access for care is possible, modern varieties with very large flowers can be chosen, but they are more demanding in terms of maintenance and soil requirements. Intermediate irises are less likely than tall irises to be knocked down by wind and rain.

Tall irises can be planted at the base of a wall, sheltered from the wind with shorter and earlier varieties in the foreground.

Border of a path: the realm of dwarf irises less than 40 cm (16in) tall, up to intermediate irises (in size and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but flower at the same time as the tall ones.

Mixed border: the entire range can be used, chosen based on the location (foreground, background) and the size of companion plants.

Iris bed, iris garden: the paradise of the iris collector.

Using the full range of garden irises allows for two and a half months of flowers in spring. Reblooming irises offer a few more flowers in late summer or autumn, depending on the climate.

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