Iris (sk. germanica) 'EDITH WOLFORD' bearded iris

It seems that fashion rules are not valid in the world of botany. Which is only right. Just imagine, ladies, that you would take a soft canary yellow top and lavender violet skirt. It would most certainly be a scandal pictured in all fashion magazines. However, Edith Wolford iris gets away with it. And not only that – it is admired and it even won the President’s Cup in 1986! This bearded iris has exactly those colours and heavily undulated petels (both standards and falls). It is a midseason bloomer producing flowers from late May until the first decade of June. Sword-like leaves are deciduous, pale green. Stems are 80-100 cm tall. Bred by Ben Hager in 1984.

Hybrid varieties of bearded iris thrive in full sun and should be planted in well-drained but moist soil of any pH. Various sources say different things about pH requirements, however, truth is that if the soil is reasonably fertile acidity does not play a significant role. Do not mistake them for water irises which do like wet and boggy conditions, these hybrids might rot it such environment.

The plants spread with their rhizomes but are not invasive. Unwanted new rhizomes can easily be dug out and transplanted somewhere else. The rhizomes like warmth so if your garden beds are mulched reduce its amount above iris’ roots to minium. Occasional fertilizing is welcome to enhance flowering and plant health. Thanks to showy flowers and variability of colours available they will be both a perfect companion plants for others as well as great features in any landscape design. Fully hardy to min. -40°C (USDA zone 3.

Last update 11-06-2020