Did you know that iris is the Greek word for rainbow? It's true! And since there are seven essential colours that comprise a rainbow, it's only fitting that our Rainbow Iris Collection brings you seven exceptionally colourful varieties.
This collection includes one each of the following varieties: - Raven Girl:
This striking variety offers exuberant ruffles, excellent form with broad, spreading petals and size that is quite large for a black. The crowning point is its amazing number of blooms—each stem yields an astounding 8-12 buds that open over a long period of time! - Falcon Pride:
A tall variety reaching up to 40" in height, its blooms boast beautiful blue-violet petals with lighter edging. The yellow beards display a hint of blue at the tips. It's known for having a sweet fragrance and reliable blooms. - Chestnuts Roasting:
These dusky, musky flowers boast extreme ruffling and intricate lacework. The standards are painted reddish-brown, graced by golden whiskers at their heart. The falls are similarly hued but darker. - Tiger Honey:
Random streaks of golden yellow highlight butterscotch standards. Lightly laced and ruffled, flared falls are imbued with streaks and dapples of mustard yellow, tan and white. - Undercurrent:
The soft peach standards beautifully complement the rich purple falls, heightened by fiery red beards and a captivating sweet fragrance. Together, these qualities create an irresistible allure. - Whiskey Tango:
Introducing a Breck's exclusive directly from our own breeding program! Whiskey Tango is a prolific bloomer whose heavily ruffled flowers are a warm caramel-orange colour. Bright orange beards are surrounded by a reddish-brown patch with delicate white striping. - Stairway to Heaven:
Reminiscent of fluffy clouds in the springtime sky, this multiple award winner bears frilly standards of creamy white above medium blue falls. Strong stems yield many buds. Equally at home in a bed, border or bouquet. Height: 39"
Colourful and Carefree! Irises are some of the most stunning perennials you can plant—and also some of the easiest to grow! In late summer or early fall, simply plant your rhizomes 24" apart in sun-soaked or partly shaded, well-drained soil. Then, get set to watch a kaleidoscope of hues burst forth in mid to late spring.
Once planted, your bearded irises will be remarkably self-sufficient, giving you a bounty of fuss-free beauty. Winter hardy in zones 4−9, irises multiply annually and will return year after year with greater abundance and more colour intensity.
A Cut Above the Rest Irises are not only must-haves in the garden, they make long-lasting cut flowers, too! For the best bouquets, cut your irises early in the day when the buds are just opening. Place them in a bucket of tepid water, and re-cut the stems one inch higher, at an angle, keeping the stems under water as you cut.
No matter how you enjoy your irises, one thing is for sure—you will not be disappointed when you order from Breck's!
Iris Anatomy 101 With literally thousands of tall bearded iris varieties in the world, it helps to identify these beautiful blossoms by their three main parts:
- Standards:
The three upper iris petals that stand at attention, curving to meet each other at their highest point. Standards can be ruffled or lacy, solid or multi-coloured.- Beards:
The fuzzy flower accents that look like colourful caterpillars! Beards not only give the bearded iris its name, they help guide pollinators to the treasure trove of nectar inside.-
Falls: Often a contrasting colour to the standards, the falls consist of three downward curving petals that highlight the beards and complete the distinctive iris look!
- Haft: The top part of the falls, where it connects to the rest of the flower. Hafts often have special markings not seen on the rest of the flower.
