Iris Stairway to Heaven Bearded Iris

Stairway to Heaven is a tall bearded iris that rises to a little over 3 feet tall, blooming magnificently from late spring to early summer. This iris is a profuse bloomer, boasting 8 to 10 buds per stem that unfurl into cool, big, billowy blooms. Each bloom features perfectly white standards and lavender-blue falls, creating a stunning visual contrast. These flowers are perfect for creating breathtaking bouquets and are ideal for floral displays. When left in the garden, their beauty is enhanced by the sword-shaped blue-green foliage, creating a picturesque backdrop that attracts a variety of pollinators, including beloved butterflies.

An Iris germanica cultivar, Stairway to Heaven is a rhizomatous semievergreen perennial with an upright, spreading habit. Over time, it multiplies slowly to form large, impressive clumps. Bearded irises like this one are excellent for adding color and structure to mixed beds, borders, and foundation plantings. They truly shine when grouped, massed, or planted in sweeping drifts in naturalized areas, offering a striking visual impact.

Naturally hardy, bearded irises grow effortlessly in sunny to partially shady locations, needing 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. They thrive in any good garden soil as long as it's well-draining, but they prefer soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH between 6.1 and 7.2. Consistent moisture is key, but avoid letting the soil remain soggy to prevent rhizome rot. An annual application of fertilizer, such as Espoma Organic® Flower-tone® Blossom Booster, about 6 weeks before the expected bloom cycle, will boost their performance. Once established, bearded irises like Stairway to Heaven are drought and heat-tolerant, and they are also deer and rabbit-resistant, making them a low-maintenance addition to any garden.