Iris x germanica 'Batik'
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BORDER BEARDED IRIS
Family: Iridaceae
Pronounced: EYE-riss ger-MAHN-ih-ka
GROWING GUIDE
Geographical Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Bulbs.
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Mature size: Height: 26 inches (65 cm).
Flowering period: Spring.
Flowering attributes: Stripes and splashes of white on dark purple flowers with yellow beards.
Leaf attributes: Sword-shaped, broad, green leaves.
Growth habit: Clump-forming
Light: Full sun in the western half of the Pacific Northwest.
Soil: Humus rich, moist, well drained soil.
Feeding: At planting time fertilize with a low nitrogen fertilizer.
Propagation Methods: When clumps get crowded, dig up and divide rhizomes, planting the newer rhizomes and tossing the old.
Rainy Side Notes
Iris 'Batik' is a border bearded iris; I received mine during a plant exchange. When it bloomed, I fell in love with its stunning flower, which looks like it was dyed as a silk batik. Flowers are short-lived, opening and staying at their prime for only two, maybe three days during warm weather. With our cooler spring weather, we do have them last a little longer. As a cut flower, each blossom lasts one to two days in the vase, but can be snipped off when the flower becomes unsightly. The next flower down the stem will bloom. Border bearded iris are not good flowers for a commercial cut flower business; yet it does well for the home cutting garden. Some growers sell their bearded irises as cut flowers at their local farmers' market.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
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