Code Black Bearded Iris Plant

Iris germanica 'Code Black Border' plants produce velvet-looking flowers that fade from a dark, dark purple to light purple as you work your way up. The beard on this Iris has brown hairs that have "burnt" tips. Compared to a tall variety, a border plant will be shorter in height, although not as short as a dwarf variety. Iris plants grow best in sunny locations with well-drained soils. They make spectacular additions to rock gardens and early summer beds and borders. Rhizomes should be divided every 3-4 years. Deer tend to overlook irises.

Excellent companion plants for Bearded Iris include: Peonies, Alliums, Catmint, Salvia, Dianthus, Coreopsis, Lamb's Ear, Sedum, Lavender, and Daylilies.

Iris Plant Care Instructions: Irises are relatively low-maintenance plants; however, these actions will help keep them healthy and thriving. Remove spent flowers by cutting them back to the first set of healthy leaves. Any leaves that develop brown tips during the summer can be trimmed just below the browning area - this is a natural process for irises. Avoid mulching around the rhizomes to prevent rot. Regularly remove dead or dried leaves from the plant. In early fall, cut back all foliage to ground level. Divide iris plants every 3-5 years, typically about 4-6 weeks after flowering. Spring is the best time to apply a single application of balanced fertilizer.