Tall Bearded Iris Iris 'Pascoe' (TB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Iris 'Pascoe' (TB) is characterized by its striking flowers that exhibit a beautiful blend of colors. These blooms typically showcase a gradient of hues, often featuring a combination of purples, blues, and yellows that transition smoothly across the delicate petals. Each flower is adorned with three upright petals known as standards, complemented by three downward-curving petals referred to as falls. The standards often display a lighter shade, while the falls may have deeper, more saturated colors or intricate veining that adds to the plant's visual appeal. The flowers exude an elegant and sophisticated look, mirroring the classic form and poise commonly associated with irises. The leaves of Iris 'Pascoe' are long, slender, and sword-shaped, with a bright green color that contrasts beautifully against the vivid blooms. These leaves grow in a dense, clump-forming habit, providing a lush backdrop for the ornate flowers. The plant's overall appearance is a feast for the eyes, making it a beloved choice for gardeners looking to inject a splash of color and drama into their landscapes.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Bearded Iris, Tall Bearded Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Pascoe' (TB).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Tall Bearded Iris, specifically the variety 'Pascoe,' can be considered mildly toxic when ingested. Parts of the plant contain irisin, iridin, or irisine, which are substances that can cause stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if consumed. Handling the plant may also cause skin irritation for sensitive individuals. It is generally advised to avoid eating any parts of the Tall Bearded Iris.
- To pets
  The Tall Bearded Iris, or 'Pascoe' variety, is toxic to pets if ingested. The rhizomes contain compounds such as irisin, iridin, or irisine that can lead to symptoms such as salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in pets. In severe cases, ingesting large amounts may lead to more serious health issues. It is important to prevent pets from chewing on or consuming parts of the Tall Bearded Iris to avoid these toxic effects.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Varies
- Height
  3 feet (91 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  Varies
- Native area
  Varies

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: Iris 'Pascoe' adds aesthetic appeal to gardens with its striking blooms and foliage.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of drought, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Cold Hardy: This plant is capable of withstanding cold temperatures, which makes it suitable for growth in various climates.
- Ease of Care: It generally requires minimal maintenance, making it a good choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Long Blooming Season: Iris 'Pascoe' provides a lengthy display of flowers, typically from late spring to early summer.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers can attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden.
- Soil Adaptability: Iris 'Pascoe' is adaptable to a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soil.
- Division Propagation: It can be easily propagated through division, allowing gardeners to expand their collection or share with others.
- Deer Resistance: This plant has a degree of resistance to deer, which can be beneficial in areas where deer predation is a problem.
- Uses in Design: It can be used in various garden designs, including borders, beds, and as a specimen plant for focal points.
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
- The tough leaves of the Iris can be woven into baskets or used in crafting for decorative purposes due to their strength and flexibility.
- Dried Iris petals can be incorporated into potpourris for their appealing fragrance, adding a unique scent to the mix.
- The fibrous leaves may be used as natural material to create eco-friendly packing material as an alternative to plastic bubbles or foam.
- Iris flowers can be pressed and used in art projects or to adorn handmade paper, providing an elegant touch to stationery.
- It's possible to use the plant dye derived from Iris flowers for natural dyeing of fabrics and textiles, offering hues of blues, purples, and yellows.
- The rhizomes of some Iris species, though not typically for Iris 'Pascoe', have historically been used in perfumery as a fixative, but this is not a common usage for this particular variety.
- The plant can play a role in educational gardens or botanical displays to teach about plant biology and hybridization practices.
- Iris seeds, when dried and polished, can be used as beads in jewelry making for an organic, natural aesthetic.
- The striking appearance of the Iris can act as a natural pest deterrent in gardens due to its robust characteristics and structure.
- The blooms can serve as a natural food dye for culinary creations, though care must be taken to ensure they are not toxic.

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
- Faith: The iris is often associated with faith and spirituality, with its three petals sometimes said to represent faith, wisdom, and valor.
- Hope: As a harbinger of spring, the iris brings the promise of better times, symbolizing hope for the future.
- Wisdom: Historically, the iris is linked to wisdom and cherished for its profound significance in various cultures.
- Courage: Due to its upright stance and bold colors, the iris can symbolize courage and admiration.
- Royalty: With its regal appearance, the iris sometimes represents royalty and elegance.

💧

Every week

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Tall Bearded Iris 'Pascoe' should be watered deeply to encourage root growth, but the soil should be allowed to dry out between watering to prevent rot. This typically means watering once every week to two weeks, depending on weather conditions and soil drainage. Approximately one inch of water per week, including rainfall, is adequate. During dry spells or in particularly hot climates, you might need to water every five to seven days. It's essential to avoid overwatering, as standing water can cause rhizome rot in bearded irises.
Light
Tall Bearded Irises, such as Iris 'Pascoe', thrive in full sun conditions where they receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. They can tolerate partial shade, but flowering may be reduced in less than optimal light. A south-facing or west-facing garden spot is ideal for these plants, ensuring they get ample light to produce the vibrant blooms they're known for.
Temperature
The optimal growing temperatures for Tall Bearded Iris 'Pascoe' range between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can withstand temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit before they start to show signs of stress. Bearded irises are cold-hardy and can tolerate frost during their dormancy in the winter.
Pruning
Pruning Tall Bearded Iris 'Pascoe' involves removing spent flower stems down to the base after blooming to prevent seed formation and tidy the plant. In late summer or early fall, trim the foliage into a fan shape about 6 inches high to prepare for winter and encourage healthy new growth in the spring. Prune damaged or diseased leaves as needed throughout the growing season to maintain plant health.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for the Tall Bearded Iris, which is Iris 'Pascoe', should be well-draining, fertile, and neutral to slightly acidic in pH, between 6.8 and 7.0. A mix of loamy garden soil, compost, and sharp sand or perlite is often recommended to ensure proper drainage and fertility.
Repotting
Tall Bearded Irises, such as Iris 'Pascoe', do not require frequent repotting and are typically divided and repotted every 3 to 5 years to prevent overcrowding and to rejuvenate the plants.
Humidity & Misting
Tall Bearded Irises, including Iris 'Pascoe', are quite tolerant of different humidity levels and do not require high humidity, making them suitable for typical outdoor garden environments where humidity varies naturally.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide full sun by a window, maintain moderate temps, and well-draining soil.
- Outdoor
  Plant in sunny spot with well-drained soil in spring or summer.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA.
Life cycle
Iris 'Pascoe,' a tall bearded iris, begins its cycle when its seeds are sown, typically after a period of stratification to break dormancy. Germination follows, and the seedling's roots and shoots start to develop. As it matures, the plant forms a rhizome, which is an underground stem that stores energy and produces fans of long, blade-like leaves. Once established, this rhizome can produce new shoots, contributing to the plant's clonal spread. The iris reaches flowering maturity after a few seasons, producing showy blossoms that are typically purple or lavender, but can vary in color, used for reproduction through both self-pollination and cross-pollination by insects. After blooming in late spring to early summer, seed pods may form and, once matured, they open up to release seeds, thus beginning a new cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late summer
- The most popular method for propagating the Iris 'Pascoe', a Tall Bearded Iris, is through division. This is typically done in late summer after the blooming has finished. The rhizomes of the iris are lifted from the ground carefully to avoid causing too much damage. Using a sharp knife, the rhizomes are divided into sections, ensuring each piece has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the roots. The leaves are then trimmed back to about one-third of their height, which facilitates easier establishment and reduces moisture loss. These divisions are replanted promptly, usually around 12 to 24 inches apart, setting them so the tops of the rhizomes are slightly exposed to the air. This allows for the rhizomes to dry and prevents rot, ensuring a good start for the next growing season.