Iris 'Saphire Beauty Hollandica' - Schwertlilie - LumiBlumi

Dutch Iris 'Sapphire Beauty'

CHF 0.95

Dutch Iris 'Sapphire Beauty'

Name: Dutch Iris 'Sapphire Beauty'
Brand: Iris
Price: 0.95 CHF
Availability: OutOfStock

Iris 'Sapphire Beauty'

CHF 0.95

Deep blue flowers with a yellow stripe, around 9 cm across
Flowers in May and June
About 50–60 cm tall
Long-lasting cut flower on long stems
Proven variety, introduced in 1953

'Sapphire Beauty' is a classic Dutch iris in deep sapphire blue, with a yellow stripe glowing on each fall. The variety has been known for decades and is valued above all for the vase, where it lasts a long time. In May and June it brings colour between tulips and summer flowers.

About this variety

The name says it all: 'Sapphire Beauty' flowers in a rich, noble blue reminiscent of a gemstone. A yellow stripe on the falls makes the colour look even more intense. The flowers reach around 9 cm and are neatly formed. The variety was registered in 1953 and has proved itself in gardens and nurseries ever since.

In the border it looks best in generous groups, for example among early perennials such as catmint, columbines or lady's mantle. At about 50–60 cm tall, it bridges the gap between spring bulbs and summer perennials. If you like, plant a few bulbs in pots, which can be moved to an inconspicuous spot after flowering.

Its real strength lies in the vase: the flowers last an unusually long time, and the straight stems are easy to arrange. Bees visit the flowers too. For the bulbs to come back, the soil needs dryness rather than water in summer.

Planting

Plant the bulbs in autumn, from September to November, about 8–10 cm deep. Spacing of 25–35 cm or loose groups are ideal. Choose a sunny spot with very free-draining soil that dries out in summer. Chalky and loamy soils are suitable; improve heavy soils with sand.

Care

Water in spring only during dry spells and avoid any waterlogging in summer. Cut off faded flowers, but only remove the foliage once it is yellow. A bulb fertiliser as growth starts encourages flowering the following year. The bulbs are hardy in Switzerland, even at higher altitudes.

Specifications

Botanical name: Iris 'Sapphire Beauty'
Genus: Iris
Class: Various
Supplied as: Flower bulbs
Flower colour: Purple, Blue, Yellow
Flower size: 9 cm
Fragrant: No
Flowering time: May, June
Flowering season: Late spring, Early summer
Foliage colour: Blue-green, Mid-green
Height: 55 cm
Spread: 45 cm
Habit: Upright
Position: Sun
Suitable for: Bed, Rock garden, Wildlife garden and meadow, Cutting garden
Soil type: Chalky, Clay, Sandy, Loamy
Drainage: Well-drained
Soil moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil note: Suitable for many Swiss garden soils. A loose structure and good drainage matter more than a particular soil type.
Water needs: Medium
Planting time: February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November
Planting depth: Depending on the species, shallow to 10 cm
Spacing: 25–35 cm
Number per m²: 10
Hardiness in Switzerland: Hardy in Switzerland
Hardiness by location: Hardy, also at higher altitudes
Hardiness zone (USDA): 4–7
Overwintering note: Generally hardy in garden soil in Switzerland. At high, windy sites and in containers, plan extra winter protection and avoid winter wet.
For containers: Well suited to containers
Container note: Grow in a sufficiently large container with drainage holes and good drainage.
Cut flower: Suitable as a cut flower
Naturalising: Not suitable
Naturalising note: Persists for several years in a suitable spot, but does not normally spread over larger areas on its own.
For bees and butterflies: Pollinator-friendly
Toxicity: Not edible and possibly harmful. Keep away from children and pets.
RHS hardiness: H5