OUI MADAME BEARDED IRIS

Iris germanica 'Oui Madame' ('Oui Madame' Bearded Iris) is quite popular for its elegant, sophisticated coloring and prolific springtime bloom, even though it is typically a once-blooming variety. This vigorous cultivar reaches a stately height of up to 3-4 feet, presenting large, ruffled flowers on strong stalks. The blooms feature an alluring color shift: they open as a deeper, rich lavender and gracefully fade to a soft lilac. This pastel palette is instantly contrasted and energized by a bright, vibrant orange beard at the center of the falls, often with a white or yellow wash emanating around it, creating a striking focal point in the late spring to early summer garden.

To thrive, 'Oui Madame' requires a location that receives at least six hours of full sun daily and, critically, excellent drainage in the soil to prevent the rhizomes from rotting. Hardy in USDA Zones 3–10, 'Oui Madame' is drought-tolerant once established and notably resistant to deer and rabbits. While it does not reliably rebloom like 'Immortality' or 'Mariposa Autumn', its long-lasting, heavy spring display, featuring 8 to 10 buds per stalk, ensures weeks of high-impact color, making it a superb choice for perennial borders and a beautiful, long-stemmed cut flower.