Tall Bearded Iris Iris 'Joyful Skies' (TB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Joyful Skies' is distinguished by its graceful blossoms which showcase a palette of soft blues and purples. This Tall Bearded Iris features large, ruffled petals that combine different shades of blue, often with a lighter, almost sky-blue or lavender tone towards the edges and a deeper, richer blue or purple closer to the crinkled petal base. The falls, the downward curving petals, are slightly flared and may expose a hint of yellow or white at their center, highlighting the bearded area - a fuzzy strip that gives this type of iris its name. The standards, the upright petals, rise elegantly to create an overall delicate and traditional iris form. The sword-like foliage is a deep green, providing a striking vertical aspect and a lush backdrop for the vividly colored flowers that emerge on sturdy stems. Each stem typically bears multiple buds, which open successively to provide an extended display of the plant's captivating blooms. The Iris 'Joyful Skies' has a robust and clumping habit, making it a beautiful addition to perennial borders and formal plantings, where its enchanting colors can provide an eye-catching display.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Tall Bearded Iris, Bearded Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Joyful Skies' (TB).
Toxicity
- To humans
  Iris 'Joyful Skies', more commonly known as Tall Bearded Iris, is not considered highly toxic to humans, but it can cause some issues if ingested. The primary toxic component is irisin, which is concentrated in the rhizomes (root structures). If ingested, irisin can cause mild stomach upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It may also cause dermatitis if the sap comes in contact with skin, due to the presence of irritating substances. While serious complications are rare, it is best to avoid ingesting any part of the Tall Bearded Iris plant.
- To pets
  Tall Bearded Iris, the common name for Iris 'Joyful Skies', contains compounds that can be toxic to pets if ingested. The most toxic part is the rhizome, or the bulb-like underground stem. Consuming parts of this plant can lead to symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, lethargy or abdominal pain. While it is not usually considered life-threatening, ingestion of Tall Bearded Iris can cause significant gastrointestinal upset in pets, and it is wise to keep these plants out of their reach. If you suspect your pet has ingested iris, you should contact a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Blue
- Height
  3 feet (91 cm)
- Spread
  2 feet (61 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Temperate Northern Hemisphere

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic appeal: Iris 'Joyful Skies' is known for its beautiful blooms, which add a splash of color and visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Pollinator attractant: The vibrant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, which help to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
- Ease of care: This tall bearded iris is relatively low-maintenance, making it a suitable choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, Iris 'Joyful Skies' can tolerate periods of drought, making it a good choice for water-wise gardens.
- Perennial growth: As a perennial, it will return year after year, providing long-term enjoyment without the need for annual planting.
- Versatility: It can be used in border plantings, as a focal point, or in mass plantings to create a dramatic effect in the garden.
- Seasonal interest: It blooms in late spring to early summer, helping to bridge the gap between spring bulbs and summer perennials.
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
- Iris petals can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, imparting soft blue and purple hues to textiles.
- The fibrous leaves of the Iris can be woven into baskets, mats, or even footwear, utilizing traditional crafting techniques.
- Puree from Iris rhizomes can serve as a starch for stiffening clothes and linens, much like traditional starches used in laundry.
- Pressed and dried Iris flowers can be used for decorative purposes in scrapbooking, paper-making, or encapsulated in resin jewelry.
- Iris flowers can be a source of inspiration for artists and photographers, serving as a subject for artwork and creative projects.
- The fragrance of Iris flowers has been historically used to perfume rooms and personal items, such as stationary and linen.
- Iris flowers can be used in potpourri mixtures, adding color as well as fragrance to the blend.
- The structure of the flower can provide an educational tool for botanical studies, particularly concerning the morphology of the Iris family.
- Culinary enthusiasts have used crystallized Iris petals as an edible decoration on cakes and pastries.
- Seed pods of the Iris, when dried, can be used in floral arrangements or as part of home decoration for their unique shape and texture.

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
- Hope: The Iris 'Joyful Skies' symbolizes hope, as irises often do, representing the anticipation of joyful moments and positive outcomes.
- Trust: Irises are often associated with trust and the belief that good things will come, and the 'Joyful Skies' variety, with its bright appearance, underscores this belief.
- Wisdom: Historically, irises are tied to wisdom, and the 'Joyful Skies' iris, with its serene color palette, could represent a clear, wise perspective.
- Purity: The clean, crisp look of the Iris 'Joyful Skies' carries the traditional symbolism of purity often attributed to the iris flower.
- Royalty: The iris has long been a symbol of royalty and elegance, and the 'Joyful Skies' variety, with its stately blooms, continues this royal association.
- Faith: The Iris 'Joyful Skies', like other irises, can be a symbol of faith, representing belief in oneself or a higher power.
- Valor: Irises sometimes represent courage and valor, and the robust nature of the 'Joyful Skies' variety echoes this symbolism.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late Summer to Early Fall

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Tall Bearded Iris, also known as 'Joyful Skies', requires moderate watering, particularly during the growing season. It's best to water these irises deeply every 7 to 10 days, ensuring at least an inch of water is provided each time, which equates to about half a gallon for an average-sized plant. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water more frequently. It’s important to avoid overhead watering to prevent issues with rot, so focus the water at the base of the plant. During the winter or in cooler climates, reduce watering significantly to prevent the rhizomes from rotting.
Light
The Tall Bearded Iris thrives best in full sunlight. Ensure that it gets at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for planting 'Joyful Skies' is in an area that receives morning light and some protection from the intense afternoon sun, although it is quite tolerant of strong sunlight as well.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for the Tall Bearded Iris is between 55°F and 75°F. These irises can tolerate temperatures as low as 14°F in the winter and as high as 86°F in the summer. However, for optimal growth and flowering, they prefer the moderate conditions within the ideal range, and they should be protected from extreme heat.
Pruning
Pruning, or more accurately, deadheading the Tall Bearded Iris, is done to promote healthy growth and improve appearance. After blooms fade, cut back the flower stalks to the base to prevent seed production, which diverts the plant's energy away from flower formation for the next season. Once a year in late summer, remove any brown or damaged leaves to encourage vigorous growth and minimize disease risk.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Tall Bearded Iris 'Joyful Skies' thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.5-7.0. A soil mixture incorporating loamy garden soil, compost, and coarse sand is ideal to ensure proper drainage and fertility.
Repotting
Tall Bearded Irises like 'Joyful Skies' generally do not require frequent repotting and should be divided every 3 to 5 years to maintain vigour and flowering capabilities.
Humidity & Misting
Tall Bearded Irises such as 'Joyful Skies' are tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and do not require specific humidity conditions.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light, ensure good airflow, and avoid excess moisture.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, and provide moderate water.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life of an Iris 'Joyful Skies' (Tall Bearded Iris) begins with seed germination, which requires stratification to break dormancy before the seedlings emerge. After germination, the plant enters a vegetative state, where it grows leaves and root systems until it is mature enough to produce a flower stalk. The growth phase continues as fans of leaves expand and the iris develops a thick rhizome underground. Following the establishment phase, the Tall Bearded Iris blooms in late spring to early summer, showcasing its colorful flowers that attract pollinators. After the flowering stage, the plant enters a period of senescence for the flower stalks, while the rhizomes continue to store energy for the next cycle. As fall approaches, the iris goes dormant, with the rhizomes surviving winter to start the life cycle anew come spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late Summer to Early Fall
- Iris 'Joyful Skies', commonly known as a Tall Bearded Iris, is most commonly propagated through division, a process best performed in late summer after the flowering season has ended. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump of irises and gently separate the rhizomes, ensuring that each section has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the roots. Trim the leaves to about one-third of their height, which typically means cutting them back to approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters), to reduce water loss and make handling easier. Replant the divided rhizomes in a well-drained, sunny spot, setting them so the top of the rhizome is slightly exposed. Water them in well to settle the soil around the roots, and they should establish and begin to grow, leading to new blooms in the following seasons.