High Country Gardens
Jawbone Flats Tall Bearded Iris
Best tall perennial for low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly garden borders.
Discover the captivating beauty of the Jawbone Flats Tall Bearded Iris, a garden essential inspired by the stunning landscapes of Oregon's Cascade Mountains. This perennial variety showcases a mesmerizing blend of amethyst, dark purple, and white hues, creating a striking visual appeal. Reaching an impressive height of 44 inches, it's perfect for adding depth to the back of perennial beds and borders. From May to early June, its vigorous clumps produce stems with 8-9 buds, showering your garden with color and attracting vital pollinators. This low-maintenance, water-thrifty iris thrives in well-drained soil and full to partial sun.
$8.24
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
16
/ 3088
#16 in Plant & Flower Bulbs
Price vs Category Average
-65%
Below average
Species
Iris germanica 'Jawbone Flats'
/ Iris germanica 'Jawbone Flats'
Who it's for
- Floral enthusiasts who enjoy creating dramatic indoor arrangements
- Gardeners seeking a sophisticated, high-contrast focal point
- Busy homeowners wanting low-maintenance, climate-resilient perennials
Who should skip it
- Landscape planners prioritizing long-season floral color
- Casual gardeners unwilling to perform regular pest monitoring
- Owners of shaded landscapes lacking direct sunlight
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Striking amethyst and purple tones create a dramatic focal point.
Garden Versatility
Tall stature provides excellent depth for back-of-border planting schemes.
Maintenance Ease
Low-water requirements make this a reliable choice for busy gardeners.
Wildlife Resilience
Natural resistance to deer and rabbits protects your floral investment.
Pollinator Appeal
Multiple buds per stem ensure a steady draw for beneficial insects.
Climate Adaptability
Broad zone compatibility allows for successful growth across diverse regions.
Key Specs
Species
Iris germanica 'Jawbone Flats'
Mature Height
44 inches
Mature Spread
12 inches
Growing Zones
3-9
Bloom Time
Late spring (May to early June)
Plant Type
Flower
Plant Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Features
- Eye-catching amethyst, purple, and white blooms
- Impressive 44-inch mature height
- Blooms late spring for extended color
- Low maintenance and water-thrifty
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Attracts beneficial pollinators
- Excellent for cut flower arrangements
- Vigorous clumps with multiple buds
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Jawbone Flats Iris for its exceptional quality and reliable performance. Reviewers frequently highlight the stunning, unique color combination and robust growth, noting that the plants arrive healthy and establish quickly. The primary sentiment revolves around the plant's ability to deliver dramatic, high impact blooms year after year, confirming its status as a garden standout and a worthwhile investment.
Know before you buy
With a mature spread of 12 inches, you should space these irises about 12 to 18 inches apart. This allows for proper airflow, which is essential for keeping the rhizomes healthy and preventing rot.
Tall bearded irises typically need one full growing season to establish their root systems. While you may see some blooms the first spring after planting, they will reach their full, vigorous flowering potential in their second year.
Iris germanica requires soil that does not hold standing water, as damp conditions can cause the rhizomes to decay. If you have heavy clay soil, amend it with organic matter or plant on a slight mound or raised bed to ensure excess moisture drains away quickly.
No, the Jawbone Flats Tall Bearded Iris is not bred for fragrance. Its primary appeal is its striking amethyst and purple coloration and its impressive 44-inch height.
At 44 inches tall, these irises are quite sturdy, but they can be susceptible to strong winds or heavy rain. If your garden is in a particularly exposed or windy location, you may want to provide light staking to keep the stems upright.
Once the flowers have finished, leave the foliage intact throughout the summer. The leaves are essential for photosynthesizing and storing energy in the rhizome for next year's growth; you can trim them back in late autumn after the first frost.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$8