Iris 'Harvest of Memories'

Iris 'Harvest of Memories': Sunny Yellow Iris That Comes Back for Seconds

Clear, bright yellow flowers that come back for a second show in the fall, like a summer memory that refuses to fade. 'Harvest of Memories' is THE NOSTALGIA YOU CAN ACTUALLY PLANT.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Iris germanica 'Harvest of Memories' (tall bearded iris)
• Common Name: Bearded Iris
• Height: 95–100 cm (38–39 in)
• Spread: 60–75 cm (24–30 in)
• Flowers: Clear, bright yellow self with yellow beards, lightly fragrant, on well-branched stems
• Bloom Time: Early summer (June), often reblooming in early fall (September to October)
• Foliage: Upright, sword-shaped green leaves, often purple at the base
• Features: Reblooming

Where to Plant: Use it in the middle or back of a sunny border, where its height and colour carry from a distance, or in a cutting garden. In heavy clay, plant it on a slope or in a raised bed for better drainage.

Companion Plants: Plant yellow 'Harvest of Memories' in a sunny, dry bed with red daisies, lemon yarrow and blue grama grass. Lewisia 'Little Tutti Frutti' tucks in at the front at 15 cm with pastel flowers in May and June. Gaillardia 'Mesa Red' adds bright red daisies at 36 to 41 cm from June to September. Achillea 'Sassy Summer Lemon' brings lemon-yellow heads at 70 to 80 cm from June to August. Bouteloua gracilis adds blue grama grass at 30 to 60 cm with eyelash-like seed heads.

Plant Care: Plant the rhizome so its top sits at the soil surface, roots spread below. Don't bury or mulch over it. Water through the first season, then only when it's very dry. To help the fall rebloom, feed lightly with a low-nitrogen fertilizer after the first bloom and water during dry summer weeks. Cut finished flower stalks down to the base. Clear away dead leaves in late fall to cut down on iris borer. Divide crowded clumps every three to five years, in July or August.

History: 'Harvest of Memories' was bred by Lloyd Zurbrigg, who got his start with irises in Listowel, Ontario, and spent much of his career breeding rebloomers for short northern seasons. It was registered in 1984 and introduced in 1985.

Final Thoughts: Deer resistant, drought tolerant once established and happy in full sun. Plant it now and let it remind you every year. YELLOW NEVER FORGETS.