PEGGY SUE BEARDED IRIS

Iris ger. 'Peggy Sue' (Peggy Sue Bearded Iris) is a beautiful and fragrant Tall Bearded Iris that is also a reliable rebloomer. Its large, blossoms feature gentle, antique pink standards (the upright petals) above paler, ivory-pink falls (the drooping petals), all highlighted by striking mandarin-orange beards. This award-winning cultivar has earned the American Iris Society's coveted Award of Merit. It typically flowers in two cycles: the first in mid to late spring, with a second flush appearing in late summer to early fall. The plant grows to a mature height of about 30-36 inches, forming an upright clump of sword-like, blue-green foliage, and is noted for being hardy, drought-tolerant, and resistant to deer and rabbits.

Peggy Sue Bearded Iris thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for the best flowering. It must be planted in well-drained soil, as perpetually wet conditions can cause the rhizomes (the fleshy root-like stems) to rot; planting on a slope or in a raised bed can help ensure proper drainage. When planting, the rhizome should be set so that its top is slightly exposed or only just below the soil surface. Watering should be deep but infrequent, allowing the soil to dry to about one inch deep before re-watering. Remove spent flower stems after blooming and cut back the foliage to a six-inch fan in late fall to prevent pests like the iris borer from overwintering.