Iris Rosalie Figge - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris 'Rosalie Figge' is a reliable perpetual tall bearded iris variety, with beautifully formed violet-purple flowers enhanced by the very velvety texture of the sepals. The almost solid colour of the flower is barely streaked with white around the violet-dotted white beard, yellow at the throat. This plant, sumptuous and high-performing in the garden, has been awarded in the USA as well as in England by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Iris 'Rosalie Figge' is a perennial rhizomatous and deciduous plant, with an upright clumping habit. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained for centuries, with a controversial origin concerned with the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Garden Irises have European origins. 'Rosalie Figge' is a tall variety, reaching 1m (3ft) in height when in bloom, with a stem per rhizome, bearing multiple flower buds. The clump will spread very quickly, with no theoretical limit over time, as the central rhizomes become bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped, glaucous green and highly veined leaves. Floral stems appear in April which bloom in May, opening from the top to the lower branches. Flowering regularly occurs again in late summer, with little influence from cultivation or weather conditions. The powerful and deep colour of this variety is magnified by the texture of the silky petals and very velvety sepals. It is worth noting that the flowers are also pleasantly fragrant. Perpetual irises are even more prolific than classic varieties: they require more frequent division and replanting. They are also more demanding plants.

Obtained Jane McKnew, 1991. (Titan's Glory x Violet Miracle)

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil...), vegetation (low plants or light foliage),appearance, and flowering time. For example, Gaura will provide little shade to the irises and will maintain attractiveness throughout the summer. Eschscholzia will be content with dry and poor soil, just like the iris. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also complement irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges will be stabilised by a dense planting of old vigorous varieties that require little care. If the goal is more decorative and you have access for care, you can choose more modern varieties, for example, intermediates, often very floriferous, which will be less likely to bend under the wind or rain.

At the base of a very sunny wall, protected from the wind, tall irises can be used. They can be planted in the background behind shorter and earlier varieties.

Border: the entire range can be used, from dwarf early varieties to tall irises flowering in May, including intermediates (in size and earliness) and border irises, of medium size but flowering with the tall ones. Tall irises with heavy flowers are at high risk of being toppled if not staked, as they will be exposed to the wind.

Mass planting: border irises as well as dwarf irises.

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, at the front or back, depending on the size of neighbouring plants.

Iris bed, iris garden: Careful choice allows for two and a half months of flowers in spring. Choosing "perpetual" irises offers a few additional flowers in late summer or autumn.

The vegetable garden can accommodate a few clumps of irises for cut flowers.