Iris 'Pink Attraction'

Iris 'Pink Attraction': Ruffled Pink With a Fall Encore

Ruffled light pink flowers with orange beards. 'Pink Attraction' is the dating profile that's genuinely THIS GOOD IN PERSON, and it even calls back for a second date in the fall.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Iris germanica 'Pink Attraction' (tall bearded iris)
• Common Name: Bearded Iris
• Height: 70–80 cm (28–31 in)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Flowers: Ruffled light pink with orange beards and a light violet streak below each beard, lightly fragrant
• Bloom Time: Early summer (June), often reblooming in fall (September to October)
• Foliage: Upright, sword-shaped grey-green leaves
• Features: Reblooming

Where to Plant: Plant it in a sunny border, a cottage garden or a cutting bed. In heavy clay, plant it high so the rhizomes never sit in wet soil.

Companion Plants: Give 'Pink Attraction' a sunny, dry bed with pink thrift, Russian sage and tall red hollyhocks. Armeria maritima edges the front with pink pompoms at 15 to 20 cm in May and June. Perovskia atriplicifolia adds a haze of lavender-blue at 90 to 120 cm from July to September. Alcea 'Mars Magic' rises at the back to 150 to 180 cm with red hollyhocks in July and August. Eragrostis spectabilis adds a pink-purple haze at 30 to 60 cm from July to September.

Plant Care: Plant the rhizome with its top at the soil surface and the roots spread out below. Don't cover it with mulch. Water through the first season, then only during long dry spells. For the best rebloom, feed lightly with a low-nitrogen fertilizer after the first bloom and water during dry stretches in summer. Cut spent flower stalks to the base. Clean up dead leaves in late fall to reduce iris borer. Divide every three to five years, in July or August.

History: 'Pink Attraction' was bred by Earl Hall from 'Jean Guymer' and 'Vanity', registered in 1987 and introduced in 1988. Rebloom has been reported across a wide range of climates, including Ontario.

Final Thoughts: Full sun and zero deer drama. Plant one and let the bees swipe right. IT'S A MATCH.