High Country Gardens
Bearded Iris Dame de Coeur
Best low-maintenance perennial for gardeners seeking vibrant, deer-resistant spring color.
The ‘Dame de Coeur’ Bearded Iris, or Queen of Hearts, brings cheerful raspberry-pink blossoms with gold highlights and bright orange beards to the mid-spring garden. Standing about 35 inches tall, this variety offers a sweet fragrance and smooth, strapping foliage for season-long interest. It's an easy-care, drought-tolerant, deer, and rabbit-resistant garden staple. Plant in sunny locations with good drainage, spacing them for a visually impactful display. This perennial adds vibrant color and a welcoming scent to any garden setting.
$10.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
28
/ 2524
#28 in Flowers
Price vs Category Average
-73%
Below average
Life Cycle
Perennial
/ Perennial
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking a bold, luxurious focal point
- Busy homeowners wanting low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants
- Floral enthusiasts looking for elegant, sturdy cutting flowers
Who should skip it
- Planners needing continuous color throughout the entire season
- Gardeners unable to perform regular pest and drainage maintenance
- Casual growers avoiding labor-intensive, periodic plant division
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Raspberry-pink petals and gold highlights create a striking mid-spring focal point.
Maintenance Ease
Drought-tolerant nature makes this a reliable, low-effort perennial for gardeners.
Pest Resilience
Strong resistance to deer and rabbits protects your garden investment.
Pollinator Appeal
Fragrant blooms effectively draw butterflies into your outdoor living space.
Cut Flower Utility
Sturdy stems and sweet scent make these ideal for indoor arrangements.
Hardiness Range
Versatile growth across zones 3 through 9 ensures wide regional adaptability.
Key Specs
Life Cycle
Perennial
Watering Needs
Low
Flower Species
Lily
Light Requirement
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Bloom Season
Spring, Summer
Growth Habit
Mounding
Mature Height
35 inches
Mature Spread
12 inches
Features
- Mid-spring blooming with vibrant colors
- Fragrant raspberry-pink and gold flowers
- Drought-tolerant and low maintenance
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Attracts butterflies
- Suitable for cut flowers
- Provides vertical interest
- Easy to grow
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Dame de Coeur iris rhizomes received from High Country Gardens. Reviewers frequently highlight the plant's stunning, true to name color and robust growth. The deep magenta blooms provide a dramatic focal point, making this variety a reliable and highly valued addition to perennial beds. Its vigor and ease of establishment are major selling points, confirming its premium status and excellent garden performance.
Know before you buy
These irises require well-drained soil to thrive. If your garden has heavy clay, consider amending it with organic matter or planting in raised beds to prevent the rhizomes from sitting in water, which can cause rot.
For the best performance, plant your irises in a location that receives full sun, though they can tolerate partial sun. At least six hours of direct sunlight daily is recommended to ensure strong stems and vibrant flower production.
Yes, the 'Dame de Coeur' is considered resistant to both deer and rabbits. While no plant is entirely immune if food sources are scarce, the texture and scent of bearded irises are generally unappealing to these garden pests.
To create a visually impactful display, space your rhizomes about 12 inches apart. This allows enough room for the plants to spread and ensures proper air circulation, which is vital for maintaining healthy foliage.
After the flowers fade, you can deadhead the spent stalks to keep the garden tidy. Leave the foliage intact throughout the season, as it continues to photosynthesize and store energy for next year's growth.
Absolutely. These irises make excellent cut flowers due to their sturdy stems and sweet fragrance. For the best results, cut the stems when the buds are just beginning to show color and place them in a clean vase with fresh water.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$11