Iris 'Chaud Bouquet' (TB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'Chaud Bouquet' (TB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'Chaud Bouquet' (TB) grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, cut flowers and flower borders and beds.

About

Iris 'Chaud Bouquet' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae that flowers from May to July. It carries deciduous foliage and suits sunny, well-drained sites on neutral loam. Plant in a sheltered south-, east- or west-facing position where winter exposure is limited. Its habit and flowering make it suitable for borders, containers and cut flowers.

About the genus

Iris takes its name from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and for once the naming feels entirely earned. I can't think of another genus that covers so much ground — inky purples, burnt apricots, clean whites, blues that seem lit from inside — or so many situations. There are bearded irises that want their rhizomes baked in full sun, Siberian types happy in ordinary border soil, and species that will sit contentedly at the edge of a pond. What they share is the flower: three petals standing up, three falling away, built with a kind of architectural confidence most plants never attempt. Even out of bloom the foliage earns its place — those upright fans of blue-green leaves hold a border together for months. I grow them for the fortnight in May and June when nothing else in the garden can compete, and I've made my peace with that. Some plants are for the long haul. An iris is an event.

Written by Henry

In the garden

Iris 'Chaud Bouquet' is a named cultivar within the Iris genus and behaves as a clump-forming herbaceous perennial, producing its blooms between May and July. The foliage dies back seasonally, and the plant establishes as a tidy clump that benefits from a sunny, protected situation. Siting is straightforward: choose full sun on a neutral loam that drains freely and place it where shelter reduces strong prevailing winds. A south-, east- or west-facing aspect will give the best flowering display. The cultivar is rated H6, which translates to very hardy across most of the UK, so it tolerates usual winter conditions when given a well-drained position. Use Iris 'Chaud Bouquet' in mixed flower borders, courtyard beds and patio containers; it is also suitable for city gardens where space is limited. The flowering season from May to July provides stems that can be used for cutting, so position some plants where stems are easy to harvest without disturbing the main border. Regular inspection for congestion in older clumps will indicate when to divide to maintain vigour and flowering performance.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Iris

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Loam
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil moisture: Well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H6

Plant details

Iris 'Chaud Bouquet' (TB) size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
Habit: Clump forming
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds