Bearded Iris 'Dracula's Kiss'

‘Dracula’s Kiss’ is a tall-bearded *Iris germanica* introduced by Schreiner in 2009, with 36-inch stems. Its standards and style arms are dark purple, its falls dark purple-black, and its beards bright tangerine. ## Garden setting Plant this selection in full sun and rich, well-drained soil; it may still bloom with part-day shade. Set the rhizome at soil level or cover it lightly, and do not mulch. Tall, branched stems suit sunny perennial borders and cutting gardens. ## Bloom and care The American Iris Society describes bloom as late midseason, while Schreiner’s 2016 catalog groups the cultivar as early midseason; timing varies with climate. The [American Iris Society profile](https://wiki.irises.org/TbAthruE/TbDraculasKiss) records its 36-inch height, dark purple-to-black flowers, and tangerine beards. Schreiner’s [2016 catalog](https://wiki.irises.org/pub/Hist/Info2016CatalogSchreiners/SIG-Catalog-2016-Collectors-LowRes.pdf) notes four-branched stems with 9–12 buds. The [NC State Extension bearded iris guide](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/iris-x-germanica/) recommends early-spring feeding and dividing clumps in mid- to late summer after flowering. ## Maintenance Established bearded iris tolerates dry conditions but does not tolerate swampy soil. Remove faded blooms and affected roots or foliage if iris borer appears, and clear old leaves at season’s end.