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Before The Storm Fragrant Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) arrives in mid-spring with great drama and flair. Its sophisticated ruffled black petals earn its status as a multiple awarding-winning, highly prized Iris. Prolific, sweetly fragrant blooms will draw pollinators and have neighbors lined up for viewing. Add contrast to monochromatic plantings, or a bold accent to colorful garden beds. Grow extra for elegant cut flowers.
Zones
4 - 9
Advantages
Deer Resistant
Multiplies / Naturalizes
Easy To Grow
Good For Cut Flowers
Fragrant Flower / Foliage
Rabbit Resistant
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade
Water Tolerance
Low-Water
Mature Height
37" tall
Mature Spread
12" wide; plant rhizomes 12-24" apart
Bloom Time
Late spring
Shipping Details
Shipping begins the week of August 7th, 2023 Learn More…
Item Package Size
Bare Root Plant
SKU
HC017699
USDA Hardiness Planting Zones
To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low
temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.
If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will
survive the winter temperatures in your area.
If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack
of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).
(35-39"tall x 12-24"wide)'BeforeTheStorm'Fragrant Bearded Irisis often called “thedarkest of thedark” for good reason. Its almost pure black flowers are tinted with bronze-purple, like a raven’s wing. Sweetly fragrant,it is a profuse bloomer with up to 12 buds per stem, giving it a long blooming period.Awardsincludethe Dykes Medal (1996),the top award for all classes of Iris,and the Award of Merit. At a height of 35-39"tall,its potential is unlimited.Plant'BeforeTheStorm'in the back of a perennial bedto create a dramatic backdrop,orplant asa focal point near an entrance oroutdoor living space. Elegant with ornamental grasses andcolorful perennials alike. Plant it in a full sun location in enriched garden soil with good drainage.Plant in groups of three for best effect, 12-24"apart.Keep soil moist as the plant establishes, thereafter this is a drought-tolerant, easy-to-grow perennial.Cut flowers lasting 3-7 days; for best results,harvest when buds have fully emerged and are showing color.A pollinator favorite, it’s deer and rabbitresistant too.
More Information
SKU
HC017699
Item Package Size
Bare Root Plant
Common Name
Before The Storm Bearded Iris
Botanical Name
Iris germanica Before The Storm
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Requirements
Full Sun, Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade
Flower Color
Almost Black
Mature Height
37" tall
Mature Spread
12" wide; plant rhizomes 12-24" apart
Bloom Time
Late spring
Planting Depth
Iris should be planted so the tops of the rhizomes are exposed and the roots are spread out facing downwards in the soil. Make sure not to plant the rhizomes too deep.
Ships As
Bulb, Rhizome, Tuber
Soil Type
Average Soil, Well-Drained Soil
Soil Moisture
Waterwise, Average
Advantages
Deer Resistant, Multiplies / Naturalizes, Easy To Grow, Good For Cut Flowers, Fragrant Flower / Foliage, Rabbit Resistant
Ideal Region
Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West, Southwest, Hot Desert, Pacific Northwest, Coastal California, Suitable Above 7000 ft
Planting Time
Spring / Summer, Fall
Ships To Canada
No
Planting Guides
View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Shipping
Zone
Shipping Status
Zone 2
Shipping begins the week of August 7th, 2023
Zone 3
Shipping begins the week of August 7th, 2023
Zone 4
Shipping begins the week of August 7th, 2023
Zone 5
Shipping begins the week of August 7th, 2023
Zone 6
Shipping begins the week of August 14th, 2023
Zone 7
Shipping begins the week of August 14th, 2023
Zone 8
Shipping begins the week of August 14th, 2023
Zone 9
Shipping begins the week of August 21st, 2023
Zone 10
Shipping begins the week of August 21st, 2023
As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat. The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and spring-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.
Perennials and spring-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennial and spring-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 925-9387 or contact us by email.
Shipping Rates
Our shipping rates are calculated based on our actual average shipping costs. We do not seek to profit from shipping fees, so rest assured that our shipping rates reflect an average of what it costs to get our guaranteed products safely to your door.
US Shipping Charges
Merchandise Total
Shipping Charges
Up to $19.99
$8.99
$20 to $34.99
$10.99
$35 to $49.99
$12.99
$50 to $74.99
$14.99
$75 to $99.99
$16.99
$100 and Over
$18.99
Canadian Shipping Charges
Merchandise
Shipping Charges
Up to $24.99
$14.95
$25 to $49.99
$19.95
$50 to $74.99
$24.95
$75 to $99.99
$29.95
$100 and Over
$39.95
We charge one low flat rate for shipping our products even if your order requires multiple shipments. If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 925-9387.
 arrives in mid-spring with great drama and flair. Its sophisticated ruffled black petals earn its status as a multiple awarding-winning, highly prized Iris. Prolific, sweetly fragrant blooms will draw pollinators and have neighbors lined up for viewing. Add contrast to monochromatic plantings, or a bold accent to colorful garden beds. Grow extra for elegant cut flowers.)
