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Iris germanica 'Rosalie Figge'
Rosalie Figge Reblooming Iris
Overview
Iris germanica 'Rosalie Figge' is a reblooming tall bearded iris reaching 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) tall in flower, with sword-shaped grey-green foliage 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) high. The semi-flaring blooms measure 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) across, with three upright standards and three downward-curving falls. Standards and falls are deep velvety violet-purple, with bright orange-tangerine beards centered on the falls. The fan of grey-green foliage emerges from a thick rhizome that grows partly above the soil surface. Spring bloom occurs from mid-May through early June; in zones 6-8 a second flush develops from late August through October when summer moisture and temperature allow. Rhizomes spread laterally 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) per season and form clumps 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) wide within 3-4 years. Foliage often shows leaf-spot streaking by midsummer in humid climates and yellows from the tips downward as flowering ends. Reblooming is most consistent in zones 6-8; in zones 4-5 cool fall weather frequently arrives before the second flush develops, and in zones 9-10 the cool rest period required to trigger rebloom may be insufficient. All parts of the rhizome are toxic if ingested.
Native Range
Iris germanica is not a true wild species but a cultivated complex of garden hybrids derived from Iris species native to southern and central Europe. The 'Rosalie Figge' cultivar is a 1991 United States garden selection and has no wild range.Suggested Uses
Used in mixed perennial borders and dedicated iris beds spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart, where the late-summer rebloom contributes color after most spring perennials have finished. Grown in containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L) with sharp drainage; container plants need fall division more frequently than in-ground plantings. Limited to USDA zones 4-9, with most consistent rebloom in zones 6-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2'6" - 3'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Colors
Bloom Information
First bloom occurs from mid-May through early June across zones 4-8, with each individual flower lasting 3-5 days and a flower stalk producing 5-9 buds in sequence. Second bloom in zones 6-8 develops from mid-August through October, depending on summer rainfall and average temperature. Rebloom is unreliable in zones 4-5 (early frost) and zones 9-10 (insufficient cool rest); both flushes may be reduced in years with extreme drought.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
deep velvety violet-purple with bright orange beardsFoliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Rhizomes are planted with the top half exposed above the soil surface in midsummer through early fall, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. Weekly watering during establishment and during the late-summer bud-initiation period sustains the rebloom flush; mature plants tolerate drought once foliage hardens. A low-nitrogen fertilizer applied in early spring and again after the first bloom contributes to the second flush. Iris borer (Macronoctua onusta) tunnels into rhizomes from May through July, particularly where old leaf debris accumulates around the crown. Bacterial soft rot (Erwinia carotovora) develops in waterlogged soils and warm humid weather. Clumps require division every 3-4 years in late summer when rhizomes become crowded and bloom declines.Pruning
Spent flower stalks are cut to ground level after bloom to prevent seed formation and direct energy to rhizome growth. Foliage fans are trimmed back to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in late autumn after frost or in early spring to remove disease-harboring leaf material. Old, damaged, or yellowing leaves cut at the base during the growing season do not affect plant vigor.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall
Maintenance Level
moderateContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons