Iris germanica Cimarron Strip - Bearded Iris

The 'Cimarron Strip' Iris is an ancient variety still appreciated for its distinctive original colour, its vigour and its pleasant scent. Its large bicoloured flower with simple lines displays peach and light salmon-toned petals, resting on velvety purple sepals edged with salmon. Very striking orange beards complete this particularly warm colour palette. It flowers abundantly towards the end of the iris season, in May-June. An excellent plant for borders, suitable for any well-drained soil, even poor and chalky soils.

The 'Cimarron Strip' Iris is a rhizomatous perennial plant that develops in elegantly upright clumps from spring onwards, with its foliage disappearing in winter. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of many cultivars obtained over the centuries, whose disputed origins revolve around the number of chromosomes of potential ancestors. It should be noted that Bearded Irises have European origins. They are plants that thrive in alkaline soils and require plenty of sunshine, as their rhizomes need to 'bake' in summer in order to bloom. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is generally required.

'Cimarron Strip' will reach a height of 97 cm (38in) when in flower, with several buds per stem. The clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long and wide sword-shaped leaves, of a slightly glaucous green colour, traversed by parallel veins. In April-May, floral stems appear which will produce large flowers in May-June, earlier or later depending on the region, with a simple and slightly undulating shape, blooming progressively from the top down to the lower branches. They consist of 3 upright petals, infused with rose, orange and flame red on an apricot chamois background, dominating 3 sepals blending orange, cherry, cardinal red and fuchsia, finely edged with chamois. The beards are a very vibrant orange. The colour of this plant, as always with Bearded Irises, is enhanced by the silky texture of the petals and the velvety texture of the sepals.

Obtained by Chet Tompkins, U.S.A, 1968. Award: Honorable Mention in 1969

To accompany your irises, choose plants based on their similar needs (sunlight, soil), a growth habit that is "respectful" of irises (i.e. non-competitive plants which are shorter, have light foliage), and how they complement each other visually (appearance, flowering period). For example, Gauras won't create shade, and will keep the bed attractive all summer after your irises have finished flowering. California Poppies and Love-in-a-Mist will tolerate dry soil in summer, just like irises. Perennial geraniums, salvias, and Libertias also accompany irises very well. Slopes, the base of small trees with light foliage, and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense planting of old varieties that can remain in place and require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for maintenance is possible, one can choose more modern varieties, e.g. intermediate ones that are less likely than tall ones to be flattened by wind and rain.

The vegetable garden can be adorned with a few clumps or borders of irises, as the classic place dedicated to the cultivation of cut flowers.