returns in
273
days
Bloom calendar
Jesse
Tall Bearded (TB) · Bryce Williamson, 1983, 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; occasional rebloom where climate allows
- Color & flower form: white ground with methyl violet plicata banding; lemon beard tipped blue white; ruffled
- Fragrance: unknown / varies by climate
- USDA hardiness: zones 3 to 10
- Breeder / Year / Origin: Bryce Williamson, 1983, USA
- Awards/registration: American Dykes Medal 1990; AIS Award of Merit 1987; Honorable Mention 1985
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Distinct plicata pattern versus solid or blended colors.
- Midseason timing for classic late spring displays.
- Occasional rebloom reported in limited zones.
- Moderate height for middle to back of border.
Strengths
- American Dykes Medal winner with a strong AIS award trail.
- Clean patterning that stands out in mixed plantings.
- Reliable performance in 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
- Needs full sun and well-drained soil for best bloom.
- Divide every three to five years to prevent crowding.
- Rebloom is climate dependent and not guaranteed.
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
Bred by Bryce Williamson and introduced in 1983. Recipient of the American Dykes Medal in 1990.
References
- American Iris Society – (TB) ‘Jesse’s Song’
- Historic Iris Preservation Society – ‘Jesse’s Song’
- Penn State Extension – German Bearded Iris
- ASPCA – Iris toxicity for pets
