Iris ‘Best Bet’ (Reblooming Bearded Iris)

Very floriferous, award-winner Iris ‘Best Bet’ is a remarkable reblooming iris with richly colored blossoms that create drama in the spring garden. The flowers of this tall bearded iris exhibit gently ruffled, light wisteria blue standards that float elegantly above a sea of deep hyacinth blue falls. Rising 36 inches high (90 cm) atop a lovely blue-green sword-shaped foliage, ‘Best Bet’ is a reliable, sturdy and vigorous grower – and understandably, a very popular reblooming iris. This early bearded iris usually produces 2 to 3 stems per plant early in the bloom season and then rewards us with new blooms in the fall.

• Easy to grow, it is deer and rabbit resistant, and quite drought tolerant once established.
• Won the Honorable Mention Award in 1990 and the Award of Merit in 1993 as an indication of its many fabulous qualities.
• Profuse bloomer, it will bring its glorious and glamorous blooms in late spring or early summer and rebloom in late summer or early fall.
• Performs best in full sun in humus rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade but best flowering and disease resistance occur in full sun. Good soil drainage is essential to prevent rot issues.
• Grows from creeping rhizomes which store food produced by the sword-shaped, semi-evergreen leaves and form large clumps over time
• A welcomed addition to herbaceous borders, sunny courtyards or urban gardens where the sword-like foliage and vibrant color will combine harmoniously with the stones and angular hardscaping. Roses also provide a lovely backdrop to this tall variety.
• The best time to plant bearded irises is July through September. Container-grown iris can be planted in the spring.
• All parts may cause discomfort if ingested. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Bearded irises are classified by height and flower size into 6 groups. Since these groups bloom at slightly different time, combining specimens from different groups will extend your color display for a couple of weeks.