Bearded Iris Iris 'Dark Rosaleen' (TB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Dark Rosaleen' is a type of Tall Bearded Iris renowned for its bold and dramatic flowers. The bloom showcases a rich, velvety texture in deep shades of burgundy or maroon, with the striking falls (the petals that hang down) showcasing deep hues augmented by a slightly lighter, frilly edge. The standards (the upright petals) often present a complementary shade, forming an elegant contrast that accentuates the overall allure of the flower. The beards—the fuzzy structures on top of the falls—provide a bright contrast, often appearing in a golden-yellow or orange hue, drawing attention to the heart of the flower. The leaves are long, slender, and sword-shaped, typically a vibrant green, which forms an attractive backdrop for the impressive blooms that emerge on sturdy, upright stalks. The overall presentation of Iris 'Dark Rosaleen' is one of luxurious color and classic Iris form, with the plant showcasing a lush, almost regal appearance.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Tall Bearded Iris, Bearded Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Dark Rosaleen' (TB).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Tall Bearded Iris, specifically the Iris 'Dark Rosaleen', contains compounds that can be toxic if ingested. Ingesting parts of the Iris, especially the rhizomes, can cause stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Handling the plant can also lead to skin irritation in some individuals. In rare cases, if large amounts are eaten, the toxicity might lead to more severe health issues including liver or kidney damage.
- To pets
  The Tall Bearded Iris, including the Iris 'Dark Rosaleen', is toxic to pets if ingested. The rhizomes contain the highest concentration of irritants which can cause symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain in animals. Particularly for cats and dogs, consuming Iris parts should be avoided to prevent gastrointestinal upset and potential more severe health problems.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Burgundy
- Height
  2-3 feet (0.61-0.91 meters)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (0.30-0.61 meters)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: Adds visual appeal to gardens with its deep purple or maroon flowers and striking foliage.
- Pollinator Attraction: Draws bees and other beneficial insects, supporting local ecosystems.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, requires minimal care, making it ideal for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerance: Can survive in drier conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Cold Hardy: Resistant to cold temperatures, making it suitable for planting in a variety of climates.
- Versatility: Useful in a range of garden designs, including borders, beds, and as cut flowers.
- Deer Resistance: Typically not preferred by deer, decreasing the likelihood of damage to the plant.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Creative dye source: The petals of the Iris can be used to extract natural dyes for fabric or paper, giving a range of colors from yellow to purple depending on the mordant used.
- Floral arrangements: Irises are often used in cut flower arrangements, where 'Dark Rosaleen' with its deep hues can provide an elegant and dramatic contrast.
- Photography subject: With its striking appearance, 'Dark Rosaleen' can be an excellent subject for botanical photography, inspiring both amateur and professional photographers.
- Garden design: Used as a border plant or as a focal point in a garden setting, 'Dark Rosaleen' can enhance the aesthetic appeal of landscape design.
- Eco-printing: The leaves and flowers of the Iris can be used in the eco-printing process to transfer their shapes and colors onto paper or textiles.
- Fragrance extraction: The scent of some Iris flowers can be used in perfumery, although 'Dark Rosaleen' is more valued for its visual appeal than its fragrance.
- Wedding decor: Because of their association with faith, hope, wisdom, and valor, Irises can be incorporated into wedding flower decorations and bouquets.
- Culinary decoration: While not a common practice due to potential bitterness, Iris petals can be crystallized or placed as decor on sophisticated desserts.
- Teaching tool: Irises can be used in educational settings to demonstrate plant biology, hybridization, and genetics due to their diverse range of colors and forms.
- Biomimicry inspiration: The water repellent properties of Iris petals, known as the ‘lotus effect’, can inspire designs in various fields like textiles and surface coatings.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Iris is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Wisdom: The iris is often considered a symbol of wisdom, reflecting its association with the Greek goddess Iris, who linked the gods to humanity.
- Hope: The flower is also emblematic of hope, conveying a sense of anticipation for positive outcomes and future joys.
- Courage: Representing bravery, the iris can be used to encourage strength of character and resolve in the face of adversity.
- Faith: Irises can symbolize faith, indicating belief in something beyond oneself and trust in the spiritual or the divine.
- Royalty: Due to its regal appearance and the historic use by French kings, the iris can be indicative of royalty and noble bearing.
- Purity: While often associated with the white variety, the iris's elegant form can represent purity and innocence.
- Passion: The deep, intense color of the 'Dark Rosaleen' variety of iris may convey a sense of passion and deep emotion.

💧

Every 7 to 10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3 to 5 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late Summer-early Fall

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Tall Bearded Irises like 'Dark Rosaleen' should be watered deeply to ensure the roots have adequate moisture, especially during the growing season. Provide about an inch of water per week, which is roughly equivalent to 0.6 gallons. Increase watering frequency during long periods of dry, hot weather. However, make sure the soil drainage is excellent as these irises do not like to be in waterlogged conditions. During the winter dormancy period, reduce watering significantly to prevent root rot.
Light
Tall Bearded Irises, including 'Dark Rosaleen', thrive best in full sun, meaning they require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. A sunny spot in the garden will promote healthy growth and abundant flowering. Ensure they are planted where they won’t be shaded by trees or other taller plants.
Temperature
Tall Bearded Irises, like 'Dark Rosaleen', prefer temperate climates with cold winters and warm summers. They can survive winter temperatures as low as -20°F to -30°F and summer temperatures up to 90°F. The ideal growing temperature for these irises is between 55°F and 75°F.
Pruning
Pruning, or more appropriately, deadheading Tall Bearded Irises like 'Dark Rosaleen', encourages more blooms and prevents seed formation, which can drain the plant's energy. After flowering, cut back the flower stalks to the base. In late summer or early fall, trim any damaged or diseased leaves. The best time to prune is immediately after blooming and in preparation for winter.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Tall Bearded Iris 'Dark Rosaleen' thrives in well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a pH of slightly acidic to neutral (6.8 to 7.0). A good soil mix could consist of loamy garden soil, compost, and coarse sand to improve drainage. Avoid heavy, clay-like soils and overly rich mediums that could cause the rhizomes to rot.
Repotting
Tall Bearded Irises like 'Dark Rosaleen' typically don't need frequent repotting. They should be divided and replanted every 3 to 5 years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding. Best time for this is shortly after blooming, in late summer to early fall.
Humidity & Misting
The Tall Bearded Iris 'Dark Rosaleen' is tolerant of a range of humidity levels and does not require high humidity. It prefers a drier climate and excessive humidity can lead to rhizome rot. Aim for average air humidity levels, without additional humidification.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, cool temps, and good airflow for indoor Tall Bearded Iris.
- Outdoor
  Ensure full sun, well-drained soil, and space out rhizomes for outdoor Irises.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of the Iris 'Dark Rosaleen' starts as a seed or a rhizome division, planted in well-drained soil in a sunny to a partially shaded area during late summer to early fall. After planting, the rhizomes will develop roots and foliage will start to grow. Come spring, the 'Dark Rosaleen', known for its deep violet-rose blooms with occasional white markings and a pleasant fragrance, enters its flowering stage, typically between late spring and early summer. After the flowering period, the plant will set seed if the flowers have been pollinated. The leaves continue photosynthesis throughout the summer, storing energy in the rhizomes for the next year's growth. As temperatures cool and winter approaches, the plant enters a period of dormancy, with the foliage dying back until the following growing season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late Summer-early Fall
- The most popular method of propagating the Iris 'Dark Rosaleen', a Tall Bearded (TB) Iris, is through division. This typically takes place post-bloom period, during late summer to early fall. To propagate, one would gently lift the clump of irises out of the ground using a garden fork, taking care not to damage the bulbs. The clumps should then be carefully separated by hand or cut apart with a sharp knife, ensuring that each division has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the rhizome with roots attached. The divided rhizomes are then replanted into well-draining soil, spaced approximately 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) apart, with the top of the rhizome slightly exposed to the air to prevent rot. This ensures adequate space for the new plants to grow, thereby encouraging a healthy and vibrant bloom in the following seasons.