Bearded Iris Califlora Sugar Blues

This variety is capable of flowering twice in a single season. You can expect blooms in the spring, followed by a second flush of flowers in late summer or fall, provided you are gardening in zones 5-10.

Yes, this variety is generally avoided by deer and rabbits. While no plant is completely immune to hungry wildlife, the texture and taste of bearded irises are typically unappealing to them.

These irises perform best in full sun, which means at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. They can tolerate light or partial shade, but you will see the most vigorous blooming and strongest stems in a sunnier spot.

Space your rhizomes 8 to 12 inches apart. This allows enough airflow between the plants to prevent moisture-related issues while giving them sufficient room to multiply over the coming seasons.

While they are hardy and drought-tolerant once established, they still need regular watering during their first growing season to develop a strong root system. After that, they are quite resilient and can handle drier conditions better than many other perennials.

The Sugar Blues Bearded Iris typically reaches a mature height of 32 to 36 inches. Keep this in mind when planning your garden layout so you can place them where they won't shade out smaller, lower-growing plants.