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Iris ‘Best Bet’ (Reblooming Bearded Iris)

Tall Bearded Iris 'Best Bet', Iris Germanica 'Best Bet', Early Season Irises

Award General
Iris Best Bet, Bearded iris Best Bet, Iris Germanica Best Bet, Reblooming irises, Bicolor irises, Award Irises, Blue Irises

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 richmedium moisturewell-drained soilsTolerates 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 borderssunny 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.

Irises: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for irises like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these striking plants

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Iridaceae
Genus Iris germanica
Common names Iris, Bearded Iris
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Cutting Garden, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard
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Iris germanica (Bearded Iris)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Iris ‘Black Gamecock’ (Louisiana Iris)
Iris ‘Black Swan’ (Bearded Iris)
Iris ‘Quechee’ (Bearded Iris)
Iris ‘Hold My Hand’ (Bearded Iris)
Iris ‘Twilight Rapture’ (Bearded Iris)
Iris ‘Imperial Reign’ (Bearded Iris)

Recommended Companion Plants

Lupinus ‘The Chatelaine’ (Lupine)
Papaver orientale ‘Prinzessin Victoria Louise’ (Oriental Poppy)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Bearded Irises and Companion Plants – Blue Theme
Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
Fabulous Reblooming Bearded Irises
Delightfully Fragrant Bearded Irises
Spectacular Early Blooming Bearded Irises
Flamboyant Late Blooming Bearded Irises
How to Extend The Blooming Season of Your Tall Bearded Irises
Superior Bearded Irises For Your Garden
Top Rated Bearded Irises For Your Garden
Iris germanica (Bearded Iris)
Irises: How to Grow and Care with Success
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Iridaceae
Genus Iris germanica
Common names Iris, Bearded Iris
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Cutting Garden, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Iris germanica (Bearded Iris)
Not sure which Iris germanica (Bearded Iris) to pick?
Compare Now

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