Bearded Iris 'Invitation'

‘Invitation’ is a tall-bearded iris with white standards lightly blushed creamy pink, light apricot-pink falls, and a deep orange-tangerine beard. The American Iris Society records it at 34 inches (86 cm), with very early bloom and reported rebloom; its selection details are in the [AIS cultivar entry](https://wiki.irises.org/TbFthruJ/TbInvitation). ## Placement Choose a sunny site with rich, well-drained soil. Bearded iris tolerates some shade, but heavy clay and excess moisture can cause problems. Set the rhizome at soil level or cover it lightly, and leave it unmulched. The [North Carolina State Extension guide](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/iris-x-germanica/) describes border and cutting-garden uses for bearded iris. ## Maintenance Keep newly planted rhizomes moist while they establish. Once established, bearded irises tolerate dry conditions and generally need little supplemental water outside arid areas; avoid frequent shallow watering and overwatering. Divide clumps in mid- to late summer after flowering. See the [American Iris Society care guide](https://www.irises.org/gardeners/care-classification/care/) and [Schreiner’s bearded-iris watering guide](https://www.schreinersgardens.com/pages/watering-your-bearded-iris).