Iris germanica /ˈiː.rɪs/
Common name: Bearded iris · German iris · Flag iris
Iris germanica is a perennial flowering plant in the iris family, native to central and southern Europe and long naturalized elsewhere. It grows from thick rhizomes and produces fans of sword-shaped leaves with tall stems of large, showy flowers in late spring, typically in shades of purple and violet. The "beard" of soft hairs on its falls gives the group its common name. It is one of the most widely cultivated garden irises and the parent of countless bearded iris hybrids.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun; at least 6 hours daily
Water
Low; drought tolerant once established
Soil
Well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline
Hardiness
Zones 3–9
Mature height
About 60–90 cm (2–3 ft)
Pet safe
No; rhizomes are toxic to cats and dogs
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
Division of the rhizomes is the usual method, done in late summer after flowering. Lift the clump, cut the rhizome into sections each with a fan of leaves and healthy roots, trim the foliage to about 10 cm, and replant shallowly with the rhizome top at the soil surface. Divisions typically re-establish and bloom within a year or two.
Fun facts
- Despite its name, Iris germanica is not from Germany — it likely originated in the Mediterranean region.
- The iris is the model for the fleur-de-lis, the stylized emblem long associated with French royalty.
- Orris root, used in perfumery and gin flavoring, comes from the dried rhizomes of Iris germanica and its close relatives.
- The genus is named after Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, for the flowers' wide range of colors.