Overview

Iris pallida 'Princess Beatrice' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous foliage. It typically grows around 1.0 m tall. Iris pallida 'Princess Beatrice' grows best in full sun; some tolerate partial shade, and tolerates loam and chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds soils and neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5–H7. It is native to Dalmatian coast (Croatia).

About

Iris pallida 'Princess Beatrice' is a clump-forming, upright bearded iris with sweet-scented flowers. It reaches about 1.0 m and carries sword-shaped leaves that are often glaucous. Flowers appear from May to July. It favours full sun on neutral to slightly alkaline, sharply drained soils such as loam, chalk or sand, with a south- or west-facing aspect.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Iris pallida

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 pallida 'Princess Beatrice' is a bearded iris originating from the Dalmatian coast. It forms upright clumps to about 1.0 m, with sword-shaped, often glaucous foliage and a distinctive sweet fragrance when in bloom; flowering runs from May to July. Position it in full sun where possible, though it will tolerate some light shade. Soils should be neutral to slightly alkaline and sharply drained for bearded types, so loam, chalk or sandy mixes suit best; avoid heavy, waterlogged ground. Soil moisture generally needs to be well drained. The plant is rated H5–H7 (hardy to fully hardy) so it will withstand typical UK winter conditions and can be used in both exposed and sheltered sites. In the garden it takes a mid- to rear-border position at around 1.0 m tall and pairs well with spring shrubs or herbaceous perennials that finish flowering as the iris begins. The sweet-scented blooms make it particularly effective near paths, doors or seating where the fragrance can be appreciated during its May to July season.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Iris

Sunlight

Full sun; some tolerate partial shade

Soil type

Loam, chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Soil moisture

Well drained; Siberian and Japanese kinds need moisture-retentive soil

Aspect

South or west facing

Exposure

Exposed or sheltered

UK hardiness

H5–H7

Plant details

Iris pallida 'Princess Beatrice' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Habit

Clump-forming, upright

Foliage

Deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous

Height

1.0 m

Native to

Dalmatian coast (Croatia)

Fragrance

Sweet

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Iris pallida 'Princess Beatrice'

Cultivation

Plant bearded irises with the top of the rhizome exposed so it can bake in summer sun; beardless kinds sit just below the surface in richer, damper ground. Feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser after flowering and keep the rhizomes clear of mulch and encroaching neighbours.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems at the base. Trim the outer leaves back by about half in late autumn to reduce overwintering fungal spores, leaving the central fan intact.

Propagation

Divide rhizomes six to eight weeks after flowering, discarding the old woody centre and replanting vigorous outer sections. Species come from seed, but named cultivars will not come true.

Pest resistance

Generally trouble-free, though iris sawfly and slugs damage foliage and thrips can disfigure buds.

Disease resistance

Prone to leaf spot, and to rhizome rot wherever drainage is poor or planting too deep.

Frequently asked questions

More in the Iris genus

• 
  Iris 'Antigone' (TB)
• 
  Iris 'Dauntless' (TB)
• 
  Iris 'Dipped in Dots' (TB)
• Iris 'Ablaze' (MDB)
• Iris 'After the Storm' (TB)
• Iris 'Aldo Ratti' (TB)
• Iris 'Alene's New Love' (SDB)iris 'Alene's New Love'
• Iris 'Alpine Lake' (MDB)