Iris Waterline - Bearded Iris

Iris 'Waterline' stands out for its robustness and vitality. Its generous and refined flowers give it a special distinction with pale blue petals, silver-blue sepals bordered with light blue, and bright red-orange beards. The magnificent clumps of this Iris develop rapidly, blooming in spring for several weeks in flower beds, rock gardens, and borders. A group of 'Waterline' will help create an enlarging visual effect and bring a beautiful harmony to the layout in a smaller garden.

Iris germanica is a rhizomatous, deciduous perennial plant that forms upright, vigorous clumps. It belongs to the family Iridaceae, which also includes Crocus, Gladiolus, and Crocosmia. Iris germanica, also known as Garden Iris or German Iris, is a species resulting from the hybridization of different botanical species. A member of the bearded Iris group, recognizable by the fine crest present on the sepals, it is one of the most widely grown. These plants prefer neutral to alkaline soils and need sun to thrive. The rhizomes need to capture the heat of the sun during summer to ensure optimal flowering. Traditionally, a minimum of six hours of sun per day is required for their development.

The variety 'Waterline' was obtained by Keith Keppel in 2011. Derived from the cross-breeding of 'Restless Heart' and 'Dance Recital', this excellent variety was awarded by the American Iris Society (AIS) in 2014 and 2018. It produces stems 90 to 100 cm (35 to 39in) high when in bloom. It has sturdy floral stems that develop from the rhizomes, with well-built spikes carrying numerous flower buds. The clumps spread rapidly, without theoretical limits, as the central rhizomes become bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The long, sword-shaped leaves are glaucous green with strong veins. Floral stems begin to appear in April, and produce wide flowers measuring 12 to 14 cm (5 to 6in) that bloom from the top to the lower branches, from May until mid-June, depending on the climate. The pastel colours of this plant are enhanced by the silky and iridescent texture of the petals and sepals.

Irises easily blend with other plants, whether they are perennials, grasses, or bushes. It is important to select companion plants based on their requirements such as sunlight exposure and soil types, ensure that their growth does not smother the Iris rhizomes by opting for low plants with light foliage, and consider their visual appearance and flowering period. Remember that clumps need to be divided every 3 or 4 years, so give them adequate space in well-drained, loose soil. To create attractive flower beds throughout the growing season, associate Irises with long-flowering perennials that tolerate dry soils, such as gauras, sages, or perennial geraniums. Columbines and California Poppies (Eschscholzia) bring lightness, while Clematis creates an attractive backdrop. For more height, try foxgloves. It is also important to include foliage, with grasses, silver wormwood (Artemisia), or euphorbias. Dense planting of old, vigorous varieties can stabilise slopes with limited maintenance. Tall irises can be planted at the base of a very sunny wall, sheltered from the wind, with shorter and early varieties in the foreground. A few clumps of Irises can also bring cheerfulness to the vegetable garden, and their beautiful flower stems can be used to create bouquets.