Bearded Iris Iris 'Tango Music' (SpH)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Tango Music' is a captivating plant that showcases a unique blend of color and form. Its prominent feature is the striking flowers, which boast an alluring combination of hues. The petals typically exhibit a bold contrast between deep purples and oranges, which may vary in shade and intensity. At the heart of the flower, you might find a splash of golden yellow or a bright white, adding to the complexity of its appearance. The flowers are made up of several segments: the standards, which are the upright petals, and the falls, which are the drooping petals. These often have delicate veining or spotting that highlights their color gradient. In the center of each bloom rests the beard, a fuzzy, caterpillar-like structure that can be a contrasting color, often adding to the dance of colors that gives 'Tango Music' its name. The plant's foliage is a lush green, with sword-like leaves that emerge from the base, forming a dense clump. They create a contrasting backdrop to the vibrant flowers that rise above them on sturdy, erect stalks. The leaves are often upright and slightly arching, adding to the graceful silhouette of the plant. Overall, Iris 'Tango Music' is a visual symphony of colors and shapes that can draw the eye and become a focal point in any garden setting, contributing to its appeal among garden enthusiasts and landscapers alike.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Iris Tango Music, Bearded Iris, German Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Tango Music' (SpH)
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Iris 'Tango Music' is a specific cultivar of iris. Irises are known to contain compounds that can be toxic if ingested, such as irisin, iridin, or irisine. The rhizomes (the bulb-like underground stems) are particularly known to contain these toxins. If parts of the plant, especially the rhizomes, are consumed, the toxins may cause symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Handling the plant can also sometimes result in skin irritation due to the presence of these compounds. It is, therefore, advisable to avoid ingesting any parts of an iris and to practice caution while handling the plant to prevent adverse reactions.
- To pets
  The Iris 'Tango Music' could be harmful to pets if ingested. Irises can contain several toxic compounds, mainly concentrated in the rhizomes. In pets, such as cats and dogs, eating parts of the plant can result in symptoms like salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and in severe cases, it may lead to more significant gastrointestinal upset. It is crucial to prevent pets from chewing on or ingesting parts of this plant and to seek veterinary attention if a pet is known or suspected to have consumed any part of an iris.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  4-9
- Native area
  Cultivar

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal – Iris 'Tango Music' adds vibrant color and unique floral structure to gardens and landscapes.
- Pollinator Attraction – It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which are vital for ecosystem health and plant pollination.
- Easy to Grow – This plant is known for being hardy and easy to maintain, which is ideal for beginner gardeners.
- Drought Tolerance – Once established, Iris 'Tango Music' can tolerate periods of low water, making it suitable for water-wise gardens.
- Seasonal Interest – It provides seasonal interest with its blooms in the spring and attractive foliage throughout the growing season.
- Cut Flowers – The flowers are suitable for cutting and can be used in floral arrangements, extending their beauty indoors.
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
- Photography Subject: The Iris 'Tango Music' can serve as a stunning subject for photographers, particularly those specializing in macro photography to capture the intricate details of the petals and color gradients.
- Art Inspiration: The vibrant color patterns and unique form of the Iris can provide inspiration for artists working in various mediums, such as painting, sculpture, or textile design.
- Educational Tool: Botany teachers can use the Iris to demonstrate the reproductive parts of a flower, such as the stamen and pistil, to students during a botany lesson.
- Dye Source: The pigments in the petals of the Iris may be used to create natural dyes for textiles, though experimentation with mordants and fabric may be necessary to achieve desired results.
- Insect Attraction: Planting Iris 'Tango Music' in a garden can help attract beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies, which are important pollinators for many plants.
- Mood Enhancement: The striking beauty and colors of the Iris can be used to enhance the mood and create a tranquil atmosphere in a garden or indoor space.
- Floral Crafts: The Iris' petals and stems can be used in floral crafts, such as making bookmarks by pressing the flowers or incorporating them into homemade paper.
- Wedding Decor: Its elegant appearance makes the Iris an exquisite choice for wedding bouquets, centerpieces, and other ceremonial decorations.
- Culinary Garnish: Edible varieties of Iris flowers can be used as a decorative garnish for salads and desserts, adding both color and a touch of elegance to dishes.
- Fragrance Extraction: Some Iris species are used in the perfume industry for their fragrance, though it's essential to ensure that the 'Tango Music' variety is suitable for such use.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Iris is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Hope: The iris often represents hope, symbolizing expectation and belief in a positive future.
- Wisdom: In some cultures, the iris is associated with wisdom and valued for its perceived ability to convey knowledge.
- Faith: The flower can be a symbol of faith, displaying trust and devotion in various aspects of life.
- Courage: Historically, the iris has been a symbol of courage, representing bravery and valor in challenging situations.
- Purity: The clean, elegant lines of the iris may signify purity, often used in religious or spiritual contexts.
- Royalty: The regal appearance of the iris sometimes links it to royalty and noble bearing.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Bearded irises like Iris 'Tango Music' require moderate watering, especially during the active growth period in spring and early summer. Water these irises deeply to encourage deep root growth, approximately once a week, with about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per plant. During the hot and dry periods, you may need to increase the frequency slightly but always allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering or letting the rhizomes sit in water can lead to rot, so ensure good drainage. After blooming and during the fall, reduce watering to help the plants harden off for winter.
Light
Bearded Iris 'Tango Music' thrives in full sun, which means it should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. The ideal spot for these irises would be in a location where they are bathed in sunlight for most of the day. However, if you are in a particularly hot climate, they can benefit from light afternoon shade to prevent the flowers from fading too quickly.
Temperature
Bearded Iris 'Tango Music' is hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as 5°F and as high as 90°F. However, they perform best when spring temperatures are between 35°F and 70°F. It is important to avoid extreme temperature fluctuations and to ensure the irises have adequate winter protection if temperatures drop significantly below this range.
Pruning
Prune bearded iris 'Tango Music' immediately after they finish flowering by cutting back the flower stalks down to the base to prevent seed formation and direct energy back to the rhizome. In the early spring, trim away any damaged or diseased foliage to promote healthy growth. General cleanup is also recommended after the first frost in the fall to remove old leaves and prevent disease.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Irises, including 'Tango Music', prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A mix consisting of loamy garden soil, compost, and coarse sand or perlite to aid drainage is ideal. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ideally between 6.5 and 7.0.
Repotting
'Tango Music' irises typically don't need frequent repotting. They should be divided and repotted every 3-5 years to prevent overcrowding and to rejuvenate the plant's vitality.
Humidity & Misting
'Tango Music' irises thrive in average outdoor humidity levels and do not require high humidity. They are well-suited to the typical humidity found in a garden environment.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light and good air circulation for 'Tango Music' irises.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun to partial shade with good drainage.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Iris 'Tango Music' starts its life as a rhizome, a type of bulb-like structure, which is planted in the ground, preferably in well-drained soil with partial to full sunlight. In the growth stage, the rhizome sprouts long, sword-like green leaves and stems, preparing for flowering. The flowering phase occurs in late spring to early summer when the plant produces intricate and colorful flowers that are known for their distinct patterns and appealing fragrance. After blooming, the flowers wither and the plant enters a phase of energy storage, redirecting nutrients to the rhizome for the next season's growth. In autumn, the foliage may die back as the plant enters dormancy, conserving energy through the cooler months. The cycle recommences in the following spring, with new growth emerging from the rhizome as temperatures warm.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Iris 'Tango Music', commonly known as the bearded iris, is typically propagated through division, which is the most popular method. This process is best carried out in the late summer to early fall, after the flowering season has finished. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the iris clumps and gently separate the rhizomes, which are the horizontal underground stems. Each section should have at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the rhizome. Trimming the leaves to about a third of their height can reduce water loss and make handling easier. The divisions can then be replanted about 12 to 24 inches apart (approximately 30 to 61 centimeters) into well-draining soil with the rhizome just slightly visible above the soil surface. Water the new plantings adequately to settle the soil around the rhizomes, aiding in the re-establishment of the plants.