Iris germanica 'Beverly Sills'
Iris germanica ‘Beverly Sills’ is a classic tall bearded iris known for coral pink flowers with fine lacing and a tangerine beard. It blooms in the midseason and shows best in full sun with very good drainage. Plants reach about three feet and suit mixed borders in regions with cold winters and warm, dry summers. Rebloom is reported in some locations yet varies by climate. Use this variety when you need a clear, soft pink that reads cleanly from a distance. The flowers show broad, overlapping falls that create a refined look. Clumps expand steadily and respond well to division on a three to five year cycle.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Tall Bearded (TB)
- Height × spread: 36 in tall × about 18 to 24 in wide (91 cm × 45 to 60 cm; varies with clump age)
- Bloom window: midseason spring
- Color & flower form: laced coral pink self with tangerine beard
- Fragrance: unknown / varies by climate
- USDA hardiness: zones 3 to 10
- Breeder / Year / Origin: Ben Hager, 1979, USA
- Awards/registration: American Dykes Medal 1985; AIS Honorable Mention 1981; Award of Merit 1983
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Distinct coral pink self rather than typical bicolors.
- Fine lacing on petals for a softer edge.
- Midseason bloom for classic late spring displays.
- Occasional fall rebloom reported in some regions.
Strengths
- American Dykes Medal winner with a long award record.
- Stable, well-formed blooms on garden-worthy plants.
- Performs in full sun with well-drained soils.
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
- Needs excellent drainage; wet soil raises risk of rhizome rot.
- Requires division every three to five years to maintain bloom.
- Rebloom is climate dependent and not guaranteed.
Best uses (tags)
- borders
- cutting
- massing
Provenance note
Introduced by Melrose Gardens in 1979 by breeder Ben Hager. Awarded the American Dykes Medal in 1985.
References
- American Iris Society – (TB) ‘Beverly Sills’
- RHS Plant Finder – Iris ‘Beverly Sills’ (TB)
- Penn State Extension – German Bearded Iris
- ASPCA – Iris toxicity for pets
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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