Iris Urluberlu - Tall Bearded Iris

Iris 'Urluberlu' is a very beautiful novelty in the category of "plicata" irises which develops flowering stems which are well-branched from the base and bear lots of medium-sized flowers. Its bluish-white petals stand upright above cream sepals, narrowly edged and sprinkled with navy blue. The whole is enhanced by orange beards. This truly luminous variety has a great effect on a slope or in a flower bed, at the end of the iris season.

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

Iris Urluberlu is the result of a cross between 'Bord De Mer' and 'Belle Hortense'. The plant will reach 80 cm (32in) high when flowering, with 11 to 12 buds per stem. The tuft will spread without theoretical limit over time, with the centre rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. It has an elegant upright dense clump. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped, glaucous green and highly veined deciduous leaves. Floral stems appear in April and flower in May-June, opening from the top down. The colour is magnified by the thick texture of the petals and sepals.

Obtained by Cayeux in 2013

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil, etc.), growth (low-growing plants or light foliage), decorative appearance and flowering date. For example, Gaura will provide little shade to the irises and keep the iris bed attractive throughout the summer. California Poppies and Love-in-a-Mist will thrive in dry and poor soil like the irises. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also go very well with irises. Bush roses are good companions for irises. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by a dense planting of old varieties that require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for care is possible, you can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates that are less likely to be knocked over.

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