Enjoy the sumptuous beauty of iris flowers not only in spring and early summer but autumn too! Iris Reblooming Autumn Collection offers an extended blooming season, with traditional varieties that flower in May and June followed by more modern varieties that offer a second flush in September. On top of this, we have also selected an outstanding colour palette, from the rich and unusual bronze shades of Iris ‘Grand Chief’, to the extraordinary stripey patterning of Iris ‘Autumn Circus’.
These majestic bearded iris provide a strong focal point in sunny borders, and even when not in flower their blue-green, sword-shaped foliage brings a bold vertical accent to planting schemes. The blooms are also perfect for adding drama to summer bouquets, making them a superb choice for the cut flower garden.
Iris Reblooming Autumn Collection contains the following varieties:
- Iris ‘Lent A Williamson’ – A tall bearded iris that has been celebrated for its vigour and beautiful colours since 1918. A very strong grower and free bloomer with large, richly coloured flowers carried on stout branching stems. Violet standards with royal purple falls that are heavily veined at the throat. Contrasting orange-yellow beard. Flowers May and June. Height: 70-85cm (28-33in). Spread: 40cm (16in).
- Iris ‘Little Mary Sunshine’ – Luminous, sunshine-yellow standards softly blend into white falls with yellow margins. Yellow beard. Flowers May and June. Height: 70cm (28in). Spread: 40cm (16in).
- Iris ‘Grand Chief’ – Richly coloured iris. Tangerine-orange standards and velvety falls in warm bronze with hints of purple. Orange beard. Flowers May-June. Height: 65cm (26in). Spread: 40cm (16in).
- Iris ‘Autumn Circus’ - Dramatic variety featuring large, ruffled blooms with striking purple veining bleeding from the edges of the petals against a white background. Matching pale blue to white beard. Prolific bloomer, flowering in May/June plus a second flush in autumn. Height: 85cm (33in). Spread: 40cm (16in).
- Iris ‘Autumn Encore’ - Royal purple standards with a white base. Falls with royal purple to maroon veining and stippling spreading from the margins of the ruffled petals against a white ground, plus a distinctive purple stripe down the centre of each petal. Beard white at the base tipped with yellow. Well branched stems carrying flowers in May/June plus a second flush in September. Height: 90cm (35in). Spread: 40cm (16in).
Growing Information
A sunny position in well drained soil is ideal for growing iris. Bearded iris prefer an open position where the rhizomes can bake in the summer sun, without being shaded by other plants. These perennials require a very free draining soil, so amend heavy clay soils with plenty of grit and well rotted manure prior to planting. When planting Iris, ensure that the rhizome sits just at the soil surface as they are prone to rot if planted too deeply.
