Bred by Keith Keppel and introduced in 2016, Idle Rich is a standout Tall Bearded Iris in ruffles and color. Gold Standards with dark Violet centers stand tall above the bright yellow falls and brilliant orange beards. Ruffles, ruffles, ruffles!!
Pictures courtesy of Schreiner's Gardens
Idle Rich Tall Bearded Iris
Hybridizer: Keith Keppel
Year Of Registration: 2015
Year Of Introduction (May Differ From Registry): 2016
Classification: Tall Bearded (TB)
Registered Height: 36 inches (91 cm)
Bloom Season: Mid
Flower Form: Bubble Ruffled
Bloom Color Classification: Violet, Yellow
Flower Patterns: Dark Top
Bloom Color Description: Near chartreuse yellow standards, center greyed aster violet; reed yellow falls, small paler spot at end of beards
Beard Color: Cadmium yellow
Style Arm Color: Reed yellow, lavender lip
Awards: Honorable Mention: 2018
Award of Merit: 2021
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5) Neutral (6.6 – 7.3) Slightly alkaline (7.4 – 7.8)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 3 -40 °C (-40 °F) to -37.2 °C (-35)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 9b
Flowers: Showy
Underground structures: Rhizome
Propagation: Division, Will not come true from seed
Ploidy: Tetraploid
Parentage: 07-96B: (Secret Rites x House Arrest) X 06-35C: (Blyth O139-B: (Wintry Sky x L185-1: (Decadence x Stop Flirting)) x Blyth N37-A: (Romancer x Opposing Forces))
Bearded Irises love a sunny spot with well draining soil. Afternoon shade is fine, but to bloom their best, full sun is recommended. To plant your rhizomes, make a small mound in your soil. Lay the rhizome with the roots draping down the sides of the mound. Backfill your soil making sure to cover all of the roots and only half of the rhizome. They really want to bake in the sun!
Bearded Irises can be planted anywhere from 12" to 24" apart, depending on how often you want to divide them. The closer together, the more often you will need to split them to keep them from becoming too crowded. Spacing that is further apart allows you a few years before you would need to think about splitting them.
Pre-ordering gives you first access to our most coveted iris varieties—before they’re released to the general public. If there’s a specific color or cultivar you've been dreaming of, this is your chance to reserve it ahead of the rush. Many of our limited-edition and rare selections tend to sell out quickly once sales open, so pre-ordering ensures your favorites are held just for you. It’s the best way to guarantee you don’t miss out come planting time
We start digging our Irises in late July and shipping usually begins in late August. If you are local and would like to pick up at the farm, click Pick Up in checkout.
