Bearded Iris 'Cantina'

‘Cantina’ is a tall-bearded *Iris germanica* selection introduced by Monty Byers in 1990. The American Iris Society records 35-inch stems, midseason bloom, and rebloom reports; its standards are medium red-violet, its falls are medium violet with a bright red-violet border, and its beard mixes violet and gold. ## Garden setting Grow it in full sun and rich, well-drained soil; part-day shade may still allow bloom. Plant the rhizome at soil level or cover it lightly, without mulch. The tall flower stems suit sunny perennial borders and cutting gardens. ## Seasonal care Established bearded iris tolerates dry conditions but is intolerant of swampy soil. The [American Iris Society profile](https://wiki.irises.org/TbAthruE/TbCantina) lists rebloom reports for Cantina in several regions; these observations do not guarantee rebloom in every garden. The [NC State Extension bearded iris guide](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/iris-x-germanica/) recommends early-spring feeding, removing faded blooms, and dividing crowded clumps in mid- to late summer after flowering. ## Maintenance Remove faded flower stems and affected roots or foliage if iris borer appears. Clear old leaves at season’s end and divide crowded clumps after flowering.