Iris 'Best Bet'

Plant Iris 'Best Bet' bulbs in late summer into fall, and in late spring to early summer and again in late summer to early fall of the following year, the tall bearded iris blooms heavily in dramatic ruffled flowers with wisteria blue standards and deep hyacinth blue falls. The flowers are borne on tall, sturdy scapes atop sword-shaped blue-green foliage that stays fresh-looking all season. In warmer climates, the foliage is semievergreen and will remain dramatic through fall or winter. The flowers attract pollinators, especially butterflies and hummingbirds, and make elegant, long-lasting cuts for floral displays.

An Iris germanica, commonly called a bearded iris or German iris, 'Best Bet' has a clumping habit. Iris bulbs are often grown as annuals, but grown in appropriate Zones, they will multiply every year and are great for naturalizing. They are shown to best effect when planted in a large drift or in groups of 10 to 15 bulbs in mixed beds, borders, or containers.

Bearded irises are so easy to grow, they're virtually foolproof. Cold hardy, they grow almost anywhere but perform best in sunny to partially shady locations with rich, humusy, moist, well-draining soil. 'Best Bet' is cold hardy; salt, shade, and drought tolerant; and deer and rabbit resistant.