Iris germanica 'Bishop Robe' - 2026

Iris germanica ‘Bishop’s Robe’ is a classic tall bearded iris cultivar valued for its bold, eye-catching flowers and stately presence in the late spring garden. The blossoms have bright violet-purple upright petals (standards) and much deeper purple drooping falls, each marked with light veining and an orange beard that brings vivid contrast. The sword-shaped foliage is grey-green and forms upright clumps, offering structural interest even when the plant is not in bloom.

This iris performs best in full sun and well-drained soil and is reasonably drought tolerant once established. It is excellent for borders or cutting gardens, attracting pollinators and contributing to garden biodiversity. A vigorous grower, it will benefit from division every few years to maintain its flowering vigour and prevent overcrowding of the rhizomes.