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2. STANDARD DWARF
BEARDED (SDB) irises
range in height from 21 cm
(8”) to 41 cm (16"). They be-gin
their bloom as the MDBs
are ending. You will be de-lighted
as the SDBs‟ huge
color range compliments Dog-woods
and Redbuds in the
early spring garden. SDBs are best displayed in clumps where they give
the effect of a “cushion” of individual blooms. SDBs show a great vari-ety
of colors and color patterns including the “spot patterns” of the
miniatures.
3. INTERMEDIATE BEARDED
(IB) irises stand from 41 cm (16") to 70
cm (27½") tall, with their bloom season
overlapping the SDBs and the TBs.
They are great companions for your
Tree Peonies in this in between season.
Although the IBs show their dwarf an-cestry
in early bloom season and very
interesting color patterns, they are large
enough that their individual stalks show
more branching, forming an elegant bouquet. Some varieties are nicest
in clumps, where they present a large amount of color (like SDBs),
while others are showiest in specimen plantings, where the stalks and
individual blooms may be seen to advantage.
4. BORDER BEARDED (BB) irises have the
same height definition as the IBs (41 to 70 cm;
16" to 27 ½"), but bloom with the Tall Beard-eds.
Although many persons call BBs “short
talls,” all plant and flower parts are reduced in
size and balance to the reduced height.