Tall Bearded Iris Iris 'Garlanda' (TB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Garlanda', commonly known as Tall Bearded Iris, boasts an elegant and stately appearance with a striking display of colorful blooms that captivate onlookers. The flowers exhibit a wide range of hues, often with a blend of two or more shades or distinct color patterns. A common characteristic of the blooms is their intricate designs with the petals arranged in a concentric fashion, having falls (the downward arching petals), standards (the upright petals), and beards (the fuzzy appendages in the center of the falls). The Tall Bearded Iris 'Garlanda' has a distinctive form thanks to these three sets of petals. The falls gracefully droop downward, displaying a velvety texture and often appearing in a rich color, which can be contrasted or complemented by the beards. These beards are typically bright and conspicuous, adding an additional layer of visual interest and serving as a guide for pollinators. The standards rise elegantly above the falls, creating a regal backdrop with their softer color or possibly echoing the tones found in the falls for a harmonious look. The foliage of the Tall Bearded Iris consists of long, sword-like leaves that grow in a clumping manner, creating a vertical element to the plant's structure and adding to the overall architectural quality of the iris. These leaves are typically a deep, rich green, setting off the vivid colors of the blooms when they make their grand appearance in the flowering season. Iris 'Garlanda' emanates grace and sophistication from every aspect of its appearance, making it a cherished addition to any garden setting that seeks to include a touch of drama and beauty.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Tall Bearded Iris, Bearded Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Garlanda' (TB).
Toxicity
- To humans
  Tall bearded iris, like many iris species, contains irisin, iridin, or irisine, which are considered mildly toxic substances. If any parts of the plant are ingested, it might lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Handling the rhizomes may also cause skin irritation in some individuals. It's advisable to avoid eating any part of the plant and to use gloves when handling it if you have sensitive skin.
- To pets
  The tall bearded iris can be toxic to pets if ingested. The rhizomes contain compounds such as irisin, iridin, or irisine which can cause gastrointestinal upset in animals. Symptoms of iris poisoning in pets may include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. It is essential to prevent pets from chewing on or consuming any part of the plant to avoid these adverse health effects.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Varies
- Height
  3 feet (91 cm)
- Spread
  2 feet (61 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  Varies
- Native area
  Varies

Benefits

General Benefits
- Decorative Appeal: The Iris 'Garlanda' is a Tall Bearded Iris that boasts beautiful flowers, which can add an aesthetic quality to any garden or landscape design.
- Diversity of Colors: Offers a variety of colors, which can be used to create stunning visual displays in garden beds and borders.
- Low Maintenance: Generally requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has good drought tolerance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Perennial Growth: As a perennial, it will return year after year, providing long-term value in the garden.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity.
- Seasonal Interest: Blooms in the late spring to early summer, offering seasonal interest in the garden when many other plants are not yet in peak flower.
- Cut Flowers: Their long stems and striking flowers make them ideal for use in cut flower arrangements.
- Easy Propagation: Can be easily propagated by dividing rhizomes to expand your garden or share with others.
- Versatility: Suitable for planting in beds, borders, and containers, providing flexibility in garden design.
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
- Ink Production: The juice of the iris can be used as a natural source for dye in ink production, especially for artisanal or traditional ink-making practices.
- Culinary Decoration: Petals of the iris can be used to decorate desserts and cocktails, adding a splash of color and sophistication.
- Fiber Dyeing: The petals and roots of the iris may be boiled to create natural dyes for coloring fibers and textiles.
- Art Supplies: Petals can be crushed to make natural watercolor paints for artists seeking organic materials.
- Photography: The striking appearance of the iris makes it an excellent subject for botanical photography and art.
- Eco-friendly Confetti: Dried petals can be tossed as biodegradable confetti at celebrations, reducing environmental impact.
- Perfumery: Although not a common ingredient, aromatic compounds from the iris can be used in the art of making custom perfumes.
- Garden Mulch: After blooming, foliage can be trimmed and used as a green mulch to enrich soil in gardens.
- Bookmarks: Dried iris petals can be laminated or pressed in books to create natural, floral bookmarks.
- Crafts: The iris's distinctive shape and colors can be used in crafting projects, such as making pressed flower arrangements or paper making.

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
- Royalty: The Iris is often associated with royalty due to its regal appearance and its historical presence in royal emblems and symbols, particularly in ancient Egypt and France.
- Wisdom: In Greek mythology, Iris is the name of the goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods, making the flower a symbol of communication and wisdom.
- Hope: The Iris can be seen as a symbol of hope, it blooms in the spring, offering a colorful promise of the upcoming season.
- Faith: Throughout history, the iris has been associated with faith and devotion, making it popular in religious contexts and ceremonies.

💧

Every week

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late Summer-Early Fall

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Tall Bearded Irises, including 'Garlanda', prefer well-drained soil and should be watered thoroughly but infrequently to mimic natural conditions. Usually, watering once a week with about a gallon of water per plant is sufficient, but this may need to increase to twice a week in extremely hot or dry weather. Ensure that the soil is allowed to dry out somewhat between waterings, as overwatering can lead to root rot. During the winter, reduce watering significantly, as the plants are dormant and require less moisture.
Light
Tall Bearded Irises like 'Garlanda' thrive best in full sun, which means they need at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Plant them in a spot where they can receive ample sunshine throughout the day to encourage robust growth and flowering. However, in regions with very hot summers, they can benefit from light afternoon shade to prevent the flowers from fading too quickly.
Temperature
Tall Bearded Irises such as 'Garlanda' can tolerate a broad range of temperatures but grow best when the day temperatures are between 68°F and 86°F. They can survive winter cold down to approximately -20°F, but spring frosts can damage flower buds. For optimal growth and flower production, maintaining temperatures in their preferred range during the growing season is ideal.
Pruning
Pruning Tall Bearded Irises, including 'Garlanda', is mainly done to remove spent flower stalks and to maintain plant health. Cut back the flower stalks to the base after blooming to prevent the plant from expending energy on seed production. Additionally, in late summer or early fall, trim away any damaged or diseased leaves to encourage healthy growth for the next season. Pruning is typically done annually.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Tall Bearded Iris like 'Garlanda' thrive best in well-draining, loamy soil with a pH of slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.8 to 7.0. A mix of garden soil, compost, and coarse sand is ideal to ensure good drainage and fertility.
Repotting
Tall Bearded Iris 'Garlanda' typically doesn't require frequent repotting. They should be divided and repotted every 3 to 4 years to prevent overcrowding and to rejuvenate their growth.
Humidity & Misting
Tall Bearded Iris, including 'Garlanda', are tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and do not require high humidity. They can thrive in average outdoor humidity conditions.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide full sun by a south-facing window and well-drained soil.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-drained soil; space rhizomes 12-24 inches apart.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Iris 'Garlanda,' also known as Tall Bearded Iris, begins its life as a seed and upon germination, it develops into a seedling with basic root structure and leaf shoots. The seedling stage sees the growth of rhizomes, which are horizontal stems from which the roots and leaf fans emerge. As it matures, the plant undergoes vegetative growth where the distinctive long, blade-like leaves fully develop and the plant increases in size. The Tall Bearded Iris enters the flowering stage typically in late spring to early summer, where it produces its notable large, ornate flowers in various hues. After pollination, flowers will wither, and seed pods may form, completing the reproductive cycle. In late fall to winter, the plant goes dormant, storing energy in the rhizomes for the next growth cycle, with this perennial process repeating annually.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late Summer-Early Fall
- For the Iris 'Garlanda' which is a Tall Bearded Iris, the most popular method of propagation is by division of the rhizomes. This is typically done after the flowering season and into the summer, often recommended every 3 to 5 years to prevent overcrowding and to maintain plant vigor. The process involves carefully digging up the clumps of irises and gently separating the rhizomes by hand. Each division should have at least one fan of leaves and a section of healthy roots. The trimmed divisions are then replanted in a well-draining soil mix, ensuring the top of the rhizome is slightly exposed above the soil surface. This allows the divided irises to establish and overwinter before producing new growth in the following spring.