Iris Showcase - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris 'Showcase' is a variety of iris that steals the show in spring borders. In the garden, it is difficult not to notice its highly contrasting yellow and cinnamon brown with purple-brown flowers, highlighted with a touch of white. Plant it with feathery foliage like bronze fennel and light, white or blue flowers.

Iris 'Showcase' is a rhizomatous, deciduous perennial that forms upright clumps. This plant belongs to the Iridaceae family and is one of the many cultivars obtained over centuries, with a controversial origin debated around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Bearded Irises have European origins.

Iris 'Showcase' is a 'plicata' variety, with coloured borders or stripes on a light background. The plant will reach approximately 89 cm (35in) high when flowering. Each rhizome produces a branching stem that bears several flower buds. The clump will spread very quickly, with no theoretical limit over time, as the central rhizomes thin out in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped, glaucous green, strongly veined leaves. Floral stems appear in April and bloom in May, in the middle of the season for tall irises, flowering from the top towards the lower branches. Its moderately wavy, large flowers have 3 upright petals, ranging from white to bright yellow, bordered and precisely speckled with cinnamon brown to purple-brown. The 3 almost horizontal, cream to yellow sepals , are bordered with purple-brown. The ensemble is accompanied by orange-yellow beards. The colour is magnified by the texture of the petals and sepals.

Obtained by Schreiner in 1973 - Awards: Honorable Mention in 1976, Award of Merit in 1981

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil...), growth (low plants or light foliage), decorative appearance and flowering period. For example, Gaura will cast little shade on the irises and will keep the faded iris bed attractive throughout the summer. Eschscholzia will be satisfied with dry soil in summer. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also accompany irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by a dense planting of old diploid varieties that require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for care is possible, one can choose more modern varieties that will be less prone to being flattened by wind and rain.

Tall irises can be planted at the base of a very sunny wall, sheltered from the wind. They can be planted in the background of lower and earlier varieties. The vegetable garden can accommodate a few clumps of irises for cut flowers.