Incredible Arilbreds

by Jeff Bennett

An incredible bed of arilbred irises in bloom

Among the many types of irises, there are categories of irises called arils and arilbreds. Now without getting too technical on the differences between the two, I’ll just basically say that arils are a group of wild species irises from the eastern area of the Mediterranean, including Turkey, Syria, Israel, etc.; and the middle of Asia where Regelia-type irises are from. Their exotic blooms, generally one flower per stalk, are breathtaking to see. Their growing requirements are also hard to understand for gardeners that like to water their plants and take great pleasure in doing so. Watering aril irises in the summer probably means you won’t see them next spring as they will succumb to rot.

Home gardeners can obtain that exotic iris "look" with easier cultural requirements when hybridizers breed arils with the bearded iris cultivars we know and love. These irises are called "arilbreds." They come in all heights, from dwarfs to talls. Depending on which species were crossed, their offspring display different heights, petal shapes, and distinctive blotches or veining. Some people are afraid to try growing arilbreds and I don’t understand why. Maybe it’s the word "aril" in the name? I received my first arilbreds in 2017 and grew them for the 2019 American Iris Society Convention in San Ramon, California. I planted the arilbred guests right in line with the other bearded irises. I was not told to treat them any differently. I was pleased to watch 'Galaxinia', 'Heart of Hearts', 'Perry Dyer', and 'Red Ahead' as they prospered and were standouts at the convention. These exotic-looking irises grew just as big as their bearded half-cousins planted next door.

Arilbred iris 'Perry Dyer'

After seeing such interesting arilbreds at a local show put on by the Mount Diablo Iris Society, I decided to plant a couple of beds dedicated to arilbreds. Tracking down arilbred irises is not the easiest task, as most commercial iris gardens only sell a few (if any). Then I discovered that the Aril Society International (ASI) has an annual rhizome sale every July. Only members can purchase during this online sale, so I joined and diligently made my selections. The delivery of 40 or so rhizomes arrived a couple weeks later. In general, arilbred rhizomes are smaller than regular bearded irises, so don’t be surprised by rhizome size. Their striking flowers make up for this in a big way.

In late July 2021, I received my second order from ASI and some from other sources I could find. New beds prepared for just the arilbreds were ready and plants were transferred from their pots (I always plant my orders in pots so they can get a good start). By late winter 2021 to early 2022, all the arilbreds were in the ground in alphabetical order. That summer they were increasing like gangbusters! I knew that the bloom in the spring of 2023 would be excellent.

 'Kalifa's Robe' getting ready to bloom in January 2023

Fast forward to January 2023. After the wettest January anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area could remember, not only the first arilbred,  but the first iris bloomed in the garden on approximately January 24. 'Kalifa’s Robe' started it all. A huge purple flower with a dark signal blotch. Then 'Warrior Prince' and 'Desert Snow' bloomed on February 9. 'Noble Warrior'  bloomed on March 14. By March 18, new varieties were opening daily. Arilbreds are early bloomers compared to tall bearded irises. The last photo I have of an arilbred in bloom was around May 15. So almost four full months of arilbred bloom is what was achieved at Dry Creek Garden in Union City California in 2023.

A beautiful and healthy clump of 'Kalifa's Robe' (B. Hager, 1990)

Historic arilbred iris 'Oyez' (C. G. White, 1938)

Arilbred iris 'Diamonds and Rust' (E. Jensen, 2017)

Arilbred iris 'Rosy Celebration' (Tasco, 2021)

But not to be outdone, 'Lu’s Child' and 'Pashtun Princess' were in rebloom by June 13. The first bloom for 'Kalifa’s Robe' lasted a full 90 days and then got going again by sending up three more bloom stalks in late May.

'Lu's Child' (D. Eaves, 2010) in rebloom 

'Pashtun Princess' (Ransom. 2011) in rebloom

Try growing a few of these beautiful varieties in your garden. The ASI online rhizome sale is running through Saturday, July 29, 2023 5:00 CST. Please visit the ASI website for ordering and payment information.

Arilbred iris bed at Dry Creek Garden

EDITORS NOTE: All photos by author Jeff Bennett