This attractive bearded iris can be seen in the Mediterranean Beds.
Numbering approximately 300 species the genus Iris occurs throughout the northern hemisphere. Species are either rhizomatous or bulbous, and enjoy a range of habitats from moist marginal areas to dry steppe. The bearded species, which have a beard of prominent white or coloured hairs along the centre of the fall petals, are familiar to many of us, with numerous hybrids gracing our gardens. This one, I. pallida, is a bearded species originating from the Balkans. It has attractive pale blue flowers with a soft yellow beard, which rise above the sword-shaped foliage. As with all the bearded species it thrives in poorer soils in full sun.