Iris germanica 'Victoria Falls'
Iris germanica ‘Victoria Falls’ is a tall bearded iris with light to medium blue flowers and a small white signal patch. It has a long bloom window from early to late in the tall bearded season. Plants reach about 40 inches and thrive in full sun with good drainage. Rebloom has been reported in many states and provinces, especially with warm late seasons. The ruffled form reads well in mass plantings and classic borders.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Tall Bearded (TB)
- Height × spread: 40 in tall × about 18 to 24 in wide (102 cm × 45 to 60 cm; varies with clump age)
- Bloom window: early to late spring; rebloom reported in some regions
- Color & flower form: uniform light to medium blue; white signal patch; white beard; ruffled
- Fragrance: unknown / varies by climate
- USDA hardiness: zones 3 to 10
- Breeder / Year / Origin: Schreiner, 1977, USA
- Awards/registration: American Dykes Medal 1984; AIS Award of Merit 1980; Honorable Mention 1978
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Longer bloom span than many tall bearded cultivars.
- Light sky-blue tone with white signal patch.
- Very tall scapes for back-border impact.
- Rebloom reported more often than average TB in warm areas.
Strengths
- American Dykes Medal winner with sustained popularity.
- Tall, ruffled flowers with clean blue color.
- Performs in full sun with standard tall bearded culture.
Care in one minute
- Site: full sun for 6 to 8 hours each day.
- Soil: well drained and lean to neutral or slightly alkaline; keep rhizome tops just at or slightly above the soil surface.
- Water: water to establish and during extended dry spells; avoid waterlogged soil to prevent rot.
- Feeding: apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 in early spring and again just after bloom; keep granules off the rhizomes.
- Grooming: remove spent blooms and cut stalks after flowering; divide clumps every 3 to 5 years.
- Winter: in cold regions cut foliage to 3 to 6 inches in late fall and avoid mulching over rhizomes.
Watch‑outs
- Tall stems may lean in strong wind unless sited with shelter.
- Requires sharp drainage to prevent rhizome rot.
- Rebloom varies by climate and season length.
Best uses (tags)
- borders
- massing
- cutting
Provenance note
Introduced by Schreiner in 1977 and awarded the American Dykes Medal in 1984. AIS rebloom records list many reports across North America.
References
- American Iris Society – (TB) ‘Victoria Falls’
- RHS Plant Finder – Iris ‘Victoria Falls’ (TB)
- Penn State Extension – German Bearded Iris
- ASPCA – Iris toxicity for pets
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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