Iris (sk. germanica) 'OKLAHOMA BANDIT'

“Hands up, pants down!”, shouts a bandit at his victim pointing his gun at him. Could this possibly be a scenario of an assault in Oklahoma? Hooker Nichols, an iris breeder, definitely thought so which is why he named his variety after a US state whose outline on a map looks like a pistol itself. Now, back to botany: Oklahoma Bandit is an early to midseason bearded iris producing flowers from early to late May. They are a unique mixture of golden amber, dark honey, and claret brown. Sword-like leaves are deciduous, pale green. Stems are only 50-60 cm tall.

Hybrid varieties of bearded iris thrive in full sun and should be planted in well-drained but moist soil of any pH. Various sources say different things about pH requirements, however, truth is that if the soil is reasonably fertile acidity does not play a significant role. Do not mistake them for water irises which do like wet and boggy conditions, these hybrids might rot it such environment.

The plants spread with their rhizomes but are not invasive. Unwanted new rhizomes can easily be dug out and transplanted somewhere else. The rhizomes like warmth so if your garden beds are mulched reduce its amount above iris’ roots to minium. Occasional fertilizing is welcome to enhance flowering and plant health. Thanks to showy flowers and variability of colours available they will be both a perfect companion plants for others as well as great features in any landscape design. Fully hardy to min. -40°C (USDA zone 3).

Last update 18-07-2020