Iris 'Clarence'

Iris 'Clarence': Gentle Bicolour with a Sweet Fragrance

Ethereal and charming, Iris 'Clarence' enchants with its soft bicolour blooms—sky-blue standards perched above pure white falls, each lightly veined with blue and kissed by a lemon-yellow beard. Fragrant and floriferous, this tall bearded iris offers both spring and fall blooms, creating a graceful presence that brightens the garden with a sense of calm and elegance.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 80–90 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm, upright and clump-forming
• Flower Colour: Blue standards with white falls and a yellow beard
• Flowering Period: Late spring, with reliable rebloom in early fall
• Foliage: Upright, grey-green, sword-like leaves; deciduous
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil; dislikes wet feet

Uses and Benefits: Iris 'Clarence' offers extended seasonal interest with its reliable rebloom and sweet fragrance. Perfect for sunny borders, cottage gardens, and cutting beds, its soft bicolour palette blends easily with pastels or can temper more intense plantings. A dependable performer that rewards the gardener twice a year with a delicate and uplifting display.

Companion Plants: Combine Iris 'Clarence' with Salvia 'Snowhill' to echo the cool whites and extend the bloom period. Add Achillea 'Little Moonshine' for a soft yellow highlight that complements the iris’s beard. Finish with Festuca 'Cool As Ice' to ground the planting with a steady, silvery base.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil and good air circulation. Keep rhizomes exposed at the soil surface. Avoid excessive moisture, especially in winter. Deadhead spent blooms and cut back foliage in late fall. Divide every 3–4 years to maintain vigour and reblooming habit.

History: Iris 'Clarence' was introduced by hybridizer Lloyd Zurbrigg in 1990 and has become a beloved rebloomer in the bearded iris world. Its refined colouration, reliable habit, and fragrance make it a mainstay in traditional and modern perennial gardens alike.

Final Thoughts: Light, fragrant, and beautifully formed, Iris 'Clarence' brings a breath of softness and renewal—twice each season—to the heart of the sunny garden.