Bearded Iris 'Jane Phillips'

A classic and timeless addition to any Mediterranean garden, 'Jane Phillips' is one of the most reliable and beautiful of the blue Bearded Irises. It produces large, elegant, sweetly-scented flowers of a pale, clear Shirley-blue with a subtle white beard. The flowers are held atop sturdy stems above fans of architectural, sword-like, grey-green foliage. In the UK, it thrives in a position in full sun, where the rhizomes can be baked by the sun throughout the summer – this is crucial for the following year's flowering. It must be planted in well-drained soil, with the top of the rhizome partially exposed. It is fully hardy (H6) and drought-tolerant once established. It provides a sophisticated focal point in late spring and early summer. After flowering, the flower stems should be removed, and the foliage can be tidied in autumn. It is a fantastic choice for a hot, south-facing border or a gravel garden.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.