Iris Germanica ‘Snappy Dresser’

Product Details

Iris germanica ‘Snappy Dresser’ won’t be the tallest variety in your border, topping out at just 35″, but it is certainly one of the most stylish. Shades of lavender are displayed in varying intensity in the solid, ruffled standards and paler, undulating falls. A touch of cinnamon on the hafts creates the perfect backdrop for vivid orange, generously proportioned beards. Surround this one with lavender-blue flowering Nepetas (such as ‘Walker’s Low’) and Salvia ‘Caradonna’ or ‘May Night’ to repeat the lavender-blue and purple shades that make ‘Snappy Dresser’ a knockout.

Named after the distinctive fuzzy beards upon their lower petals, or falls, Bearded Iris grow from modified stems called rhizomes, which extend horizontally in the soil and send out roots and shoots from nodes. The American Iris Society has classified them into six groups differentiated mainly by height, from the Miniature Dwarf Bearded Iris (up to 8″ tall) to the Tall Bearded Iris (27½” tall or more). The huge array of Bearded Iris cultivars includes flowers of every possible color. Here in Connecticut, they bloom in June, with some varieties occasionally sending forth a second round of blossoms in summer or early fall. Plenty of sun and good drainage are the primary requirements for success. Bearded Iris will repeat their lavish display for many years.

The Iris genus is named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and it’s easy to see why. These brilliantly colored, spring-flowering perennials are part of a huge plant family that contains upwards of 300 species which are native to Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. Iris range from timid and inconspicuous wildlings to the splendid and extravagant Tall Bearded Iris, which create striking vertical highlights in the late spring border. The chosen habitats of Iris range from standing water to formal borders, and there is scarcely a color or combination of colors that can’t be found. Iris plants are fairly indestructible. They thrive in most parts of the country and are largely critter resistant. Adding to their appeal, they are attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. Even after bloom, the vertical foliage persists through the growing season. Plant a variety and enjoy a rainbow of colors that will return year after year in your garden.

For more information on growing Iris, click Growing Guide.