High Octane Bearded Iris

High Octane German Iris is built for gardeners who want bold color, height and season-stretching bloom from a sunny border. Introduced by Keith Keppel in 2008 and awarded the American Iris Society Award of Merit in 2012, this tall bearded iris brings proven garden value with a strong red-brown plicata pattern and an intense golden-lemon fall patch. Make a bigger impact with height At 42" tall, High Octane rises above many surrounding perennials, giving your planting a strong vertical focal point. That extra height helps the flowers show from a distance, whether you place it toward the back of a mixed border, in a dedicated iris bed or where it can be seen from a window or walkway. It is a strong choice when you want one plant to carry real visual weight in late spring. Extend the iris season High Octane blooms midseason to late, which helps keep the iris display going after earlier varieties have finished. For gardeners who plan beds by bloom sequence, that timing is especially useful. Pair it with early and midseason bearded irises to build a longer run of color instead of having the whole show peak at once. Add bold color without extra fuss The red-brown plicata markings and intense golden-lemon fall patch give High Octane a warm, high-contrast look that stands out in sunny plantings. Once established, bearded irises are drought tolerant and need little watering in the right site. Full sun and well-drained soil are key, and the rhizome should sit at or just above the soil surface for best flowering. Plant where browsing is a concern Deer and rabbits tend to avoid bearded irises, making High Octane a practical pick for gardens where browsing can be frustrating. It also prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil and does not need rich, high-nitrogen feeding to perform well.