The Bearded Iris offers a huge range of colours. This is a deep purple variety growing in the Oxford Botanic Gardens. The furry hairs on the petal or ‘Fall’ give the plant the bearded image.

Bearded Iris do well in a sunny, well drained soil. They can provide years of spectacular colour in May – July.

Other Iris are well adapted to grow in damp conditions.

Bulb Iris are useful in rockery and Alpine arrangements and in this case are appreciated by passing Bees..

The next two pictures are taken as the rain stopped and the light improved.

Some flowers veer towards the lilac in shade but just about fit into my purple patch.

Iris are able to stand without staking as this large clump demonstrates.

Named varieties include George an Iris reticulata.

Another Iris Histroides looks similar to a Dutch Iris but smaller.

Growing in the Oxford Botanic Gardens with the other Oxford beardies.
25 Iris bulbs from Amazon (the book people not the river).