I know I promised some veg posts this week but they will have to wait another day because one of the new iris is in bloom. I planted a big selection last autumn and they mostly did well this year. Among them were a few remontant (reblooming) iris. These are standard bearded iris that have the potential, if conditions are right, to produce spikes in late summer, autumn and early winter, depending on the variety and the season. I met my first remontant many years ago and became very interested in them. I went to California to see Monty Byers in the late 80s and was further inspired. He was the greatest producer of remontants, as well as space agers, and many of his introductions have stood the test of time. So here I have his ‘Eternal Bliss’, introduced in 1988.

It is not the biggest or most spectacular iris but it is a lovely thing. The flowers of remontants often vary a little according to when the flowers open and the autumn blooms are often deeper in colour than the spring blooms. ‘Eternal Bliss’ is basically white with a pale violet suffusion and a tangerine beard. I think the colour is a bit more violet in these autumn blooms though the sun we have had has faded them to almost white. The blooms are nicely ruffled with a little lace and they are nicely scented. When the whole bed is in bloom in May I don’t really appreciate the scent of the iris enough but right now, the perfume from just these few flowers is delightful.

Geoff’s rating 9/10

Garden rating 7/10

geoff stebbings, iris eternal bliss, monty byers, reblooming iris, remontant iris