Iris pallida Variegata

The Iris pallida Argentea Variegata is a form of the Dalmatian Iris with variegated white and gray-green foliage that is remarkably ornamental. Derived from the Pale Iris, this plant is similar to our garden irises, with large rhizomes and big fluffy flowers. Its spring flowering is longer and delicately scented. Its flowers are modest in size, unpretentious, but a crystal lavender blue, warmed by a golden to orange throat. It is an excellent garden plant that will adapt to all climates, even the harshest ones, as well as the very dry summers of the Mediterranean South. A bright and extremely architectural iris for a good part of the year, which will even charm the detractors of this plant. It just prefers limestone...

The Pale Iris, in Latin Iris pallida, is a deciduous perennial rhizomatous plant from the Iridaceae family. Its origins are found in rocky areas of Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean regions, up to altitudes in Montenegro. This species gets its other name, Dalmatian Iris, from its native region, which includes the coastal areas of Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, from Herzegovina to Bosnia. The Pale Iris should not be confused with the Florence Iris (Iris florentina or pallida Ten.), with white flowers, whose dried rhizomes are used in perfumery. The Dalmatian Iris can be recognised by the papyraceous silver sheath that envelops the base of its flowers, reminiscent of tissue paper (in our garden irises, it is green like the foliage).

The 'Argentea Variegata' form, introduced to commerce since 1905, is perhaps a spontaneous mutation of this botanical species. Of slightly more modest stature, it will reach a minimum height of 70-75 cm when in bloom. Each rhizome produces one to two solid and branched flower stalks, from March to June, depending on the climate. Each flower stalk has a total of 5 to 9 flowers. They open successively or in pairs, for 4 to 5 weeks, from dark blue twisted buds. The flowers consist of 3 upright petals dominating 3 drooping sepals. Each sepal bears a yellow to orange beard that dives into the golden throat of the flower. Their size varies from 5 to 10 cm in diameter and their colour is a bright lavender blue. The fragrance is typical of iris powder, sweet and powdery.

The clump of Iris pallida Argentea Variegata will spread quite rapidly, without any theoretical limit over time, with the centre rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of sabre-shaped leaves, 20 to 50 cm long, with parallel veins. They are traversed along their entire length by large and wide white streaks on a background of soft green-gray to bluish colour. The vegetation disappears in winter, only the rhizomes remain on the surface of the soil.

To accompany the irises, choose plants that will thrive in the sun and in dry soil, preferably low-growing or with light foliage so as not to shade them, and pay attention to their decorative complementarity (appearance, flowering time). Gauras, for example, meet these three criteria, their later flowering will keep the flowerbed attractive in summer. California poppies, sages, and Ixia also go well with irises. At the base of a wall, the relative shelter from the wind allows for the use of tall irises. The remarkably bright Iris pallida Argentea Variegata will look magnificent when planted en masse along a pathway or in a large rock garden.

'Iris pallida, even more so than Iris germanica, is the ancestor of our modern irises: it has been used by horticulturists since the early hybridisation and selection work. Its 'Plicata' form, discovered in 1612, shorter and bearing smaller but speckled flowers, for example, is the origin of many horticultural varieties classified in the 'plicata' type.