Iris Souffle Chaud - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris 'Souffle Chaud' is a rich golden-yellow Garden Iris, enhanced with copper, beautifully living up to its name. The colour is enhanced by the perfect shape of the corolla and the glossy texture of the floral parts. Its stems usually bear 8 flowers that bloom in the middle of the iris season, for about 3 weeks. Garden irises are excellent plants for slopes and dry soil.

The 'Souffle Chaud' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that grows in clumps of elegant upright deciduous foliage. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained over the centuries, with a controversial origin debated around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It is worth noting that Garden Irises have European origins. They thrive in chalky soils and require ample sunlight, with their rhizomes needing to 'cook' in summer in order to bloom. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is traditionally required.

'Souffle Chaud' will reach a height of 80 cm (32in) when in bloom. Its floral stem is sturdy and robust, but sensitive to wind and rain when laden with flowers. The clump will spread without a theoretical limit over time, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the external ones. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped, slightly glaucous green leaves with parallel veins. Floral stems appear in April which produce large flowers in May, bordered by small ripples, opening from the top towards the lower branches. They consist of 3 erect golden-yellow petals, 3 almost horizontal yellow-gold sepals that turn copper-yellow towards the edges, 3 large orange beards, 3 styles, and 3 stamens. The colour is magnified by the thick, glossy, and iridescent texture of the floral parts.

Obtained by Cayeux, 2018.

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil...), growth (low plants or light foliage, non-competitive plants), decorative appearance and flowering date. For example, Gauras will not shade the irises and will keep the faded iris bed attractive throughout the summer. California Poppies and nigellas will tolerate dry soil in summer, just like irises. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also go very well with irises. Slopes, the base of small trees with light foliage, and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense plantings of old varieties that require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for care is possible, one can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates that are less prone to being flattened by wind and rain.

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