Beverly Sills
Tall Bearded (TB) · Ben Hager, 1979, USA
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)
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
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