Bearded Iris Iris 'Princess Bride' (BB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Princess Bride' is a captivating plant that features exquisite blooms distinguished by their ornamental nature. The flowers are bright and showy, often characterized by a creamy white hue that exudes elegance and purity. These flowers typically have a classic iris form, with three upward-standing petals known as standards and three downward-curving petals called falls, creating a graceful, contrasting display. The petals may also have delicate ruffling along their edges, adding a touch of finesse to the overall aesthetic. The blossoms are supported by sturdy stalks that emerge from a base of sword-like, linear foliage. The leaves are a rich green color, forming upright clumps that offer a striking background to the radiant blooms. The foliage texture is quite smooth with a slightly ribbed appearance, which is typical of many iris varieties. Iris 'Princess Bride' emerges with vigor in the blooming season, presenting itself as a clump-forming perennial that returns year after year with its stunning display. It is cherished for its beautiful coloration and classical form, making it a popular choice for gardens as both an accent plant and a border specimen. The plant's blossoms are not only visually appealing but also occasionally carry a light, pleasing scent that can attract pollinators like bees to the garden. The exquisite beauty of the Iris 'Princess Bride' makes it a beloved addition to any garden setting.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Tall Bearded Iris, Bearded Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Princess Bride' (BB).
Toxicity
- To humans
  Iris 'Princess Bride' (BB) is known to contain compounds that can be toxic if ingested. The most harmful part of the plant is the rhizome, or root, which contains irisin, iridin, or irisine, which can cause gastrointestinal upset. Symptoms of iris poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Ingesting large quantities of the root can result in more severe reactions such as irritation of the mouth and throat, increased salivation, and possibly dermatitis following skin contact with the sap.
- To pets
  Iris 'Princess Bride' (BB) is toxic to pets, with the rhizome being the most toxic part. Ingestion of the iris can result in symptoms similar to those in humans, which can include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and drooling in pets. More severe cases of poisoning could potentially lead to depression of the central nervous system and if not treated, might be fatal. It is important for pet owners to prevent their animals from ingesting any portion of the plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  2 feet 24 inches (61 cm)
- Spread
  18 inches 1.5 feet (45 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3-9
- Native area
  Temperate Northern Hemisphere

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Blooms: The Iris 'Princess Bride' produces beautiful white flowers that add visual appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: This plant is relatively drought-tolerant, making it a good choice for gardens in drier climates.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care, making it ideal for busy gardeners or those who prefer low-maintenance landscaping.
- Pest Resistance: It is generally resistant to many common pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Tolerant of Various Soil Types: 'Princess Bride' can thrive in a range of soil conditions, which makes it versatile for different garden settings.
- Easy to Propagate: This iris can be easily propagated through division, allowing gardeners to expand their collection or share with others.
- Seasonal Interest: It provides seasonal interest in the garden with its spring blooms and attractive foliage.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, which are essential for the health of the garden ecosystem.
- Cold Hardy: 'Princess Bride' is capable of withstanding cold temperatures, making it suitable for gardens in cooler climates.
- Long Bloom Time: Its flowering period is relatively long compared to some other plants, offering extended enjoyment of its blossoms.
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 rhizomes of the Iris can be used as a natural dye, producing colors that vary from yellow to green, depending on the mordant used.
- Iris flowers can be crystallized and used as edible decorations for cakes and desserts, adding a touch of elegance to culinary presentations.
- Fiber extracted from Iris leaves can be used in traditional paper-making processes, producing a high-quality and textured paper.
- Iris 'Princess Bride' can be used in potpourris, as the dried flowers retain some of their fragrance and add a visual appeal to the mix.
- The plant can serve as a natural pest repellent in the garden, as some insects avoid the Iris due to its fragrance.
- Iris petals, due to their shape and color, can be used in art projects such as pressing flowers for scrapbooking or card making.
- The sap from Iris stems can be used as a natural adhesive in emergency situations when other glues are not available.
- As a component of a natural ink, Iris 'Princess Bride' petals can be boiled to extract pigments suitable for art or writing.
- In perfumery, the scent of Iris flowers can be used as a fixative to extend the longevity of a perfume when combined with other fragrance components.
- The desirable shape and form of the Iris flower make it ideal for use in botanical illustration and photography, aiding in education and the arts.

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
- Hopes: The iris is often associated with hope and cherished friendship, reflecting a desire for positive anticipation and mutual understanding.
- Faith: Historically, irises have been linked to faith and wisdom, conveying a deep trust and respect that is often spiritual in nature.
- Courage: Irises can symbolize courage and admiration, especially the 'Princess Bride' variation, which might inspire bravery and strength in adversity.
- Royalty: Named 'Princess Bride', this iris variety can conjure images of royalty and nobility, inferring a sense of elegance and regal presence.
- Purity: The pure white color of the 'Princess Bride' suggests innocence and purity, making it a popular choice for weddings and other ceremonies signifying new beginnings.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to early summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Bearded irises, such as 'Princess Bride', typically require watering every 7 to 10 days during the growing season, especially if the weather is particularly dry. They prefer a deep watering, which encourages their roots to grow further into the ground. When watering, provide about an inch of water, which is roughly 0.6 gallons per square yard. Adjust the frequency to ensure the soil begins to dry out between waterings, as bearded irises do not like to remain in soggy soil. In winter, reduce watering significantly to reflect the plant's dormancy and natural precipitation.
Light
Bearded irises like 'Princess Bride' thrive in full sun conditions. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to bloom properly. Place them in a spot where they’ll receive uninterrupted sunlight throughout the day. Morning sun is particularly beneficial, as it helps dry dew from the leaves, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
Temperature
Bearded irises such as 'Princess Bride' are hardy plants that can survive in a wide range of temperatures. They can withstand winter temperatures as low as -20°F and summer temperatures well above 90°F. However, the ideal temperature range for promoting good growth and blooms is between 55°F and 75°F. Be sure to provide winter protection if temperatures in your area fall below the hardiness threshold.
Pruning
Pruning bearded irises like 'Princess Bride' involves removing spent flower stalks and damaged leaves to encourage healthy growth and prevent disease. Prune immediately after they finish blooming by cutting the flower stalks near the base without damaging the foliage. Additionally, remove any damaged or diseased leaves throughout the season. The best time for more extensive pruning of leaves, to tidy up the plant, is in the fall.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Beardtongue, commonly referred to for Iris 'Princess Bride', thrives in well-draining, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.5-7.0. A good soil mix for bearded iris would typically consist of equal parts garden soil, loamy garden compost, and sharp sand to ensure proper drainage.
Repotting
Bearded Iris 'Princess Bride' generally doesn't require frequent repotting and prefers to be left undisturbed. Repot or divide these irises every 3 to 5 years to rejuvenate them and prevent overcrowding.
Humidity & Misting
The Bearded Iris 'Princess Bride' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels and does not have specific humidity requirements. It is more important to ensure good air circulation around the plant to prevent disease.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, well-draining soil, and infrequent watering.
- Outdoor
  Plant in sunny spot, with well-drained soil, and space apart.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Iris 'Princess Bride', commonly known as the Bearded Iris, begins with seed germination, which occurs typically in a cold, damp environment, simulating winter conditions which break seed dormancy. Following germination, the seedlings develop into young plants with a typical iris foliage of long, narrow leaves, and a rhizome structure which stores energy and allows the plant to survive adverse conditions. As the plants mature, they produce distinct fan-shaped leaf growth and increase in size through vegetative propagation, where new shoots emerge from the rhizome. The Bearded Iris reaches its flowering stage in late spring to early summer, displaying white or pale blue flowers with plush beards on their lower petals, characteristic of the 'Princess Bride' cultivar. After pollination, which is often facilitated by insects, the flowers produce dry, six-angled seed capsules, which when ripe, split open to disperse the seeds. The plant then enters a period of dormancy during late summer to fall, especially in climates with cold winters, during which the rhizomes store nutrients for the next growing season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to early summer
- The plant Iris 'Princess Bride', commonly known as a Bearded Iris, can typically be propagated by division. The prime time for this process is late summer to early fall, after the bloom period has ended and the plant has gone dormant. To propagate by division, remove the Iris clump from the ground and shake off excess soil. Using a sharp knife, separate the rhizomes by cutting between the fans of leaves, ensuring each division has at least one fan and a portion of the rhizome with roots attached. Replant these divisions about 12 to 24 inches apart (30 to 60 centimeters) to give each new plant adequate space to grow. The sections should be planted so that the top of the rhizome is just slightly below the soil surface. Water the new divisions well to help establish them.